Stay Habitual: Moving Through the Silly Season

The end of the year often brings celebration, joy — and a whole lot of chaos! Between social events, travel, and festive indulgence, your regular movement routine can easily slip away. But staying active doesn’t have to mean sticking to strict exercise regimes or sacrificing fun. Being habitual with movement during the silly season is about finding simple, sustainable ways to keep your body feeling balanced, energised, and grounded — no matter how busy life gets.

Why Movement Matters During the Silly Season

November/ December can be demanding — late nights, extra stress, and disrupted routines all affect your physical and emotional wellbeing. Movement helps to:

• Reduce tension and improve sleep quality.

• Support digestion and circulation after festive meals.

• Stabilise mood and energy levels.

• Keep your body feeling light, open, and pain-free.

When we view movement not as punishment but as nourishment, it becomes something we want to do, not have to do.

What Happens When You Take a Few Weeks Off Movement

A short break from your usual routine is normal, but a few weeks without regular movement can create noticeable changes in your body and mind.

• Joint stiffness and Muscular tension: Without regular mobility or strengthening, muscles can shorten, making you feel restricted or achy.

• Reduced strength and stability: Even a two to three-week break can lead to small decreases in muscle activation and balance, especially around the core and hips.

• Slower metabolism and circulation: Less movement means slower blood flow and digestion — which can leave you feeling sluggish and heavy.

• Increased stress and fatigue: Physical activity helps regulate hormones like cortisol and serotonin. Without it, stress can build up, and energy levels drop.

• Decreased motivation: The longer the pause, the harder it feels to restart — not because your body can’t, but because your mind resists the shift.

The good news? Your body remembers movement. A gentle reintroduction of Pilates, walking, or mobility work can quickly restore strength, mobility, and energy.

What It Means to Be “Habitual” with Movement

At Habitual Health Collective, we believe in making movement part of your lifestyle — not just a checkbox on your to-do list. Being habitual means:

• Choosing consistency over perfection — even 10 minutes counts.

• Moving with intention — stretching between tasks, walking with friends, or breathing deeply between events.

• Listening to your body — some days call for a gentle Pilates flow, others for a stroll under the stars.

When movement becomes second nature, you stay connected to your body — even when life gets hectic.

Simple Ways to Stay Active During the Festive Rush

Here are a few realistic ways to keep your body moving and your mind calm:

🎄 1. Schedule Micro-Movements

If you can’t make a full class, fit in smaller bursts: a few squats while the kettle boils, gentle stretches before bed, or a quick walk after lunch.

🧘♀️ 2. Keep Up Your Pilates or Yoga Practice

Even one or two short sessions per week help maintain mobility, core strength, and mental clarity. Try our online options if you can’t make it to the studio.

🚶♀️ 3. Make Social Events Active

Swap drinks for a beach walk, park picnic, or morning stretch session with friends. Movement can be connection too!

🌸 4. Honour Rest and Recovery

Being habitual doesn’t mean overdoing it. Rest is part of balance — especially during a season that often stretches our limits.

Mindful Movement for Joy, Not Guilt

The holidays are meant to be enjoyed. If your routine looks different right now, that’s okay. Focus on how movement makes you feel — more centred, calm, and in tune with yourself. When you approach it with curiosity and kindness, you’ll carry that energy into the new year.

Keep Your Habitual Flow Going

Whether it’s a short walk, a Pilates class, or a few mindful breaths, each small action adds up. Staying habitual with movement during the silly season helps you maintain energy, protect your nervous system, and start the new year feeling strong — inside and out.

~ Habitual Team x 

References

• Booth, F. W., Roberts, C. K., & Laye, M. J. (2012). Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases. Comprehensive Physiology, 2(2), 1143–1211. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c110025

• Oja, P., & Titze, S. (2011). Physical activity recommendations for public health: Development and policy context. European Journal of Sport Science, 11(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2010.546063

• Pedersen, B. K., & Saltin, B. (2015). Exercise as medicine – evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25(S3), 1–72. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12581

• World Health Organization. (2020). WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015128

• Dubois, B., & Esculier, J. F. (2020). Soft-tissue injuries simply need PEACE and LOVE. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(2), 72–73. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101253