It’s always important to stay healthy however nowadays, staying healthy is more important than ever before. Between working, family life, friends, starting off the new year fresh, housework, and everything in between, it is no wonder our bodies get run down during sometimes. Fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you stay healthy this season without sacrificing any productivity.
What To Do
- Sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is absolutely critical for staying healthy during the holiday season. With so much to do, it can be easy to stay up late wrapping gifts or decorating the house, and waking up early to break gingerbread cookies. However, getting a solid 8 hours of sleep will make all the difference in how you feel throughout the season. Start winding down a couple hours before bed, put down the phone and computer, and pick up your favorite book to help you get to bed easily.
- Eat Mindfully
Eating mindfully is a great way to stay healthy during the holiday season. It’s so easy to slip from your healthy eating habits during the holidays. Whether your weakness is an extra serving of mashed potatoes, cookies and cake galore, or sugary hot chocolate, most of us notice our eating habits go down the drain when the holidays hit. Fortunately, being mindful about what and when you eat can help your body stay strong. It’s completely OK to treat yourself to a treat every now and then, just be mindful about when it happens. Food is what fuels your body. If you want a healthy body, you must eat healthy food.
- Drink Your Water
As cliche as it sounds, drinking water is one of the best ways to stay healthy. It can be easy to forget to drink water with everything that goes on during the holidays. One of the best ways I have found to remind myself to drink enough water throughout the day is by purchasing a fun water bottle that I love to carry around. It can also be beneficial to add in a Hydralyte or Liquid IV to your water bottle if you are feeling particularly dehydrated.
- Hit The Gym
While abs are made in the kitchen, hitting the gym is about more than just losing weight. Going to the gym regularly is a great way to burn off some of that holiday stress. Whether you like the calm nature of yoga, upbeat dance classes, or punching the stress away at cardio kickboxing, any activity is good activity. In addition, if you don’t feel comfortable going to a workout class, many studios are now doing online workouts that you can follow along from the comfort and safety of your own home. Doing a 30 minute workout a few times a week is a great way to stay mentally healthy during the holidays.
- Self-Care
I cannot say this enough, self-care is absolutely essential in order to stay healthy during the holidays. Self-care looks different for all of us. Whether you enjoy meditation, cooking, baking, or lounging with a loved one and watching TV, self-care is all about what takes you to your happy place. Light that fire, take a brisk walk on the beach, or journal and remind yourself of everything you have to be thankful for. There is no doubt that a positive and healthy mind leads to a healthy body.
What Not To Do
- Don’t Indulge Every Day
So much of the holidays based around indulging. Indulging in the amount and type of food, indulging in expensive gifts, and indulging in time spent with others. The best thing you can do to stay healthy during the holidays is keep the indulgences to a minimum. Splurge on a tasty holiday meal, but don’t carry those eating habits over to the rest of the week. Buy what you can afford for gifts. The price tag on a gift doesn’t reflect how much you care about someone. And spend time with loved ones, but also make time for yourself.
- Don’t Drink Alcohol At Every Event
Much like eating is a big part of the holidays, so is drinking. Whether you love egg nog, wine, or a sparkling glass of bubbly, it can be easy to lose track of how many days you are drinking around the holidays when you are constantly around friends and family. While a drink here and there isn’t bad, drinking at every event can lead to poor quality of sleep and a weakened immune system, thus making you more likely to get sick. In place of a drink, try flavored sparkling water for a healthier option.
- Don’t Do It All On Your Own
This rings true throughout the entire year, but especially during the holidays. Don’t feel like you have to do it all on your own. It’s OK to ask for help. Whether you need help buying and wrapping gifts, cooking, planning a holiday dinner, or just feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The holidays can be a very difficult time, especially in 2020. This is the time for friends and family to come together and help one another out. Less stress means a healthier body throughout the holidays.
- Don’t Forget Your Supplements
If you notice you are feeling tired and not yourself, it may be worth a trip to the doctor to find out whether or not supplements may be helpful to add into your diet. Many times, adults do not get adequate nutrition from their diets alone. As a result, supplements such as vitamin B, Iron, or even melatonin to aid with sleep can be helpful when trying to stay healthy during the holidays.
- Don’t Ignore Your Body’s Signs
The best way to stay healthy during the holidays is by listening to your body. Your body tells you when it’s overtired, dehydrated, overwhelmed, and happy. Listen to your body’s signals and don’t feel like you have to push through feeling unwell. If you have plans, its OK to cancel. If 2020 has been overwhelming and you don’t feel like being around large groups, you don’t have to. Your body knows what it wants and needs, listen to it.
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