{"id":41011,"date":"2019-11-12T11:55:35","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T16:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomeatathlete.com\/?p=41011"},"modified":"2019-11-19T09:39:25","modified_gmt":"2019-11-19T14:39:25","slug":"wellness-over-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomeatathlete.com\/wellness-over-things\/","title":{"rendered":"Wellness Over Things: A New Way of Approaching the Holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I never realized how much stuff was involved in a typical holiday until I had a daughter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During her first real Christmas (she was born about a week before Christmas, so that one doesn\u2019t count), she received more presents than the rest of my family combined. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toys, books, dolls, blocks, clothes, bikes\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You name it, it was probably under my tree for her to open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was even a Yoda doll about twice her size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(She was more excited about him in real life.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And my daughter? After the first few gifts, all she wanted was time to play (and nap). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But while it might not have stood out as much until she was born, even as adults, the amount of money and energy we spend on things <\/em>during the holidays is staggering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We live in a world of instant pleasure — notifications on your phone, same-day delivery, and streaming shows whenever you want — which bleeds into a culture of buying and giving gifts you don\u2019t actually need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 A running watch to replace my 2-year-old running watch? Yeah, I probably don\u2019t need that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…. Mugs, dishes, and random kitchen gadgets? I probably don\u2019t need those either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 A fifth way to make coffee? OK, I\u2019m intrigued. I\u2019ll take it. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get the point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fast fashion and inexpensive throw-away products fill our houses and online shopping carts, only to then fill junkyards or clutter our closets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what if this year, we did something different \u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026 What if instead of investing in yet another thing <\/em>to fill a junk drawer or countertop, we invest in our — or our loved one\u2019s — wellness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness over things. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now now, before you go roll your eyes on over to the next article, hear me out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things are important. I often need new clothes, appreciate new tech, and am never disappointed when someone gives me a new way to make coffee. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus receiving things is nice, and the joy of giving is unmatched. I love to see how excited people get giving my daughter gifts, and the smile it brings to her face when opening them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But far too often when I buy something new for myself or a loved one, their health never comes to mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what better gift could you give yourself or someone else than health and wellness? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness Over Things… in Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reducing things<\/em> is pretty trendy right now. Marie Kondo and her method of tidying up is not only mentioned by Matt and I often on NMA Radio<\/a> (it really did change our lives), but it has also gone totally mainstream with a Netflix show everyone seemed to be talking about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people these days are thinking about decluttering, minimalism, and downsizing more and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in all those cases, it\u2019s not just about reduction, it\u2019s about being intentional and focusing on what\u2019s important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re trying to do with Wellness Over Things. Encouraging ourselves (and you!) to focus on the most important thing: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wellness.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because when you\u2019re healthy, you feel good. And when you feel good, you\u2019re a better partner, parent, friend, and athlete. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are just a few examples of what that could look like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n