December 2024: Preparing for the Return to Light

Falling on the calendar just before Christmas, December carries within its days a lesser celebrated holiday, the Winter Solstice. The solstice, which is the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, falls on December 21st, 2024. It brings the return of longer days, a celebration of light's victory over darkness, and an opportunity to welcome in new beginnings.

Speaking of new beginnings, this is your reminder that there are 31 days left until the New Year. Which reminds me: have you heard that it takes three weeks to create a new habit? If this is true, you should start your New Year's Resolution now. Sure, December can be a busy month to have to embrace new habits. But this month doesn't have to be about perfection. Let it be about trial and error; getting the kinks out of the way so that when January arrives, you will be able to hit the ground running with your new habit. Let's go; we got this!

A Mantra for December & the Winter Solstice:

"I will find the light and invite it in."

What I Am Excited About

🎄My newest certification - I recently completed a professional aerial silks instructor certification from XPERT Fitness. I also have certifications in group fitness, personal training, and nutrition coaching from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, am a professional Flexibilty Flow instructor with XPERT Fitness, carry a certification in Life Coaching, and was certified as a Professional Pole Instructor by the Pole Fitness Alliance in 2017. Additionally, I have training in Pilates, Yoga Essentials, Hip Hop, Midlife Fitness for Women, Prehab to Rehab, and (of course) CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator).

What makes certifications important to me? I value my clients, and I don't take their trust lightly. I prioritize my own training so that I am able to quickly & efficiently help my students find their best selves. This is my mission and my passion!

🎄Mariah Gladstone, The Firebrand Hotel, & Jacq Guertin I haven't had a chance to share these photos (below) from Jacq Guertin / Halloween on my blog yet. This was such a fun night and Jacq is an incredible photographer. We will be back at the Firebrand Hotel for Winter Carnival February 8th, 2025. This year's Winter Carnival theme is "There's Snow Place Like Home."

Wellness Inspired Christmas Gift Ideas

• Great for aerial silks or the gym, my favorite brand for leggings is Silverwind Activewear. Their activewear is made from recycled plastic bottles (knowing this, I don't know how they can be so soft, supportive, and comfortable; but they are). I am dying for all of their fun designs so much that I agreed to be a brand ambassador! Feel free to use code Mindy20 - this gives you a 20% discount and benefits me as well.

• If you know me, you know I believe in the power of journaling as a great pathway to your best self. My journal entries include my gratitude practice, to-do lists, meal plans, goals (and my reasons behind my goals). This journal on Amazon caught my eye and it would make a beautiful gift. $13

• I am a huge fan of affirmation cards. I have a few decks and draw a card each day. This "Affirmations For a Badass" deck had a saucy spin that I found comical (if you are into the swearing-kind of motivation to inspire you to figure sh!t out)! $12

• Gift certificates to your favorite fitness studio. Bonus points if you can take a class together with the person you are gifting to!

What I am Listening To

My favorite song every December is O Come Emmanuel (ft. Skylar Grey) by Kaskade. Kaskade is one of my all-time favorite DJ's, and his Christmas albums are magical. First, there was only one Christmas album by Kaskade. But it was sooooo incredible, he put out Volume 2. Definitely my all-time favorite Christmas albums ever. 🎅

A guided meditation for the winter solstice. Enjoy🙏🌟

Holiday Blog Articles from Previous Years

You might be interested in checking out these articles from previous years:

• How to Survive the Holidays

• Exercise Equipment You Can Take Home for The Holidays

• Surviving the Holidays with Intermittent Fasting

• Highlighting Domestic Violence Awareness on "Giving Tuesday"

I am grateful to you, my community, for embarking on a journey to your best self along with me. Let's welcome the final month of 2024 in together.

Thanks for reading my article. The Elevated Life blog is dedicated to anyone and everyone striving to find an actionable route to their best self and highest potential, and I am so happy to have you here.

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Santa and I go way back!

Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop; as well as a health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. Her column shares expertise for elevating health & wellness which she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.