Entering the Year Awesome
Welcome to the final stretch of 2025! Just two and a half weeks left until the New Year. Time is flying, Q4 deadlines are stacking, and so are our stress levels.
This time of year is always a strange mix: your boss is wrapping up end-of-year decks or setting up next year’s game plan, your inbox is filled with invites to team dinners, and you’re trying to squeeze in family time and friends. It’s a stressful yet exciting blur.
As we close out the year, I wanted to share a quick reminder mostly to myself, but hopefully for you too, about how to stay healthy, grounded, and mentally logged off.
Take a walk after meals
Yes, it’s freezing out. But after a heavy meal, bundle up and take a short walk, even 5 to 8 minutes makes a difference.
Do you know you burn more calories when you’re cold? Because your body is working harder to maintain your core temperature by shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis. This is probably my favorite fun fact.
If you’re lucky enough to be somewhere warm, go for 15 minutes. Bonus points if you keep your phones in your pocket the whole time.
Know your capacity
I get it. You miss your mom’s cooking. You did No-Booze November and want to make up for it. The drinks are flowing, the food is endless, and it’s easy to go from “just one bite” to “I can’t breathe.
My nutritionist friend says people should aim for 70–80% fullness. After researching more about that statement for this article, I found out that this is a concept rooted in a Japanese philosophy called Hara Hachi Bu, which literally means “stomach eight parts (out of ten).” It’s about moderation, mindfulness, and respecting your body’s limits.
The truth is that overeating and overdrinking don’t just feel bad physically, they mess with your mindset, too.
Log off for real
We don’t talk enough about how hard it is to mentally turn off at the end of the year. There’s a weird guilt that comes with rest, especially if you’ve been on the grind all month or year-long. But remember: taking time to disconnect isn’t unproductive. It’s what keeps you from burning out.
Give yourself permission to do nothing. Put your laptop away. Turn off notifications. Your Slack or Microsoft Team pings will survive without you for a week.
Lastly, reflect
Think about how you want to feel going into the new year. It’s all within your control. You deserve to enjoy the season and feel good while doing it. So, take the walk. Eat the cake. Know your limits. Rest without guilt because you’ve made it through another year and that itself is worth celebrating. Here’s to ending 2025 with great festivities and welcoming 2026 with intention!
See you in the New Year!
