Many people begin the holiday season with a sincere desire to see loved ones share meals and treats. As the holiday season progresses, your rose-coloured lenses can become tainted by stress, illness or fatigue.
Most people today realize that wellness and health are more than diet. It is not easy to develop a holistic and healthy lifestyle. It is possible to enjoy a healthy holiday! It may not seem like it, but the holidays can be a great time to adopt healthy habits and encourage others to do so.
We wish you a happy holiday.
You may think that you have all the answers when you think about “healthy holiday tips”. Reduce the amount of seasonal sweets you consume and limit your alcohol consumption. These are good tips, but there’s more.
Experts have provided some simple and actionable tips that will help you feel your best during the holiday season.
Sleep well
You read it right. Even though it may seem counter-intuitive, getting more sleep is crucial to your health. Terry Cralle, RN and founder of We Get Sleep says that getting enough sleep during the holidays should be a priority. She says that without enough sleep, we have a greater appetite and tend to eat more sugar and fat.
She also adds that a lack of sleep can affect mood and immune resistance, making us more susceptible to illness during the cold and flu season. We are also too tired to exercise, which is essential for our health. You have trouble falling asleep at night. She suggests keeping the room as dim as possible and using white noise machines or earplugs.
Brave the outdoors
Darshi Shah, a nutritional therapist, says that even if you don’t feel like spending the whole day outside (or if it is too cold for you), getting out for 20 minutes can help replenish your vitamin levels. She claims that vitamin D deficiency can increase our feelings of melancholy and lead to seasonal depression.
Do your loved ones tend to be gloomy in winter? Invite them to join you for a morning walk in the crisp air to enjoy the beauty of winter. Shah says that if he takes a camera with him, he finds everyone wants to join in the fun and move outdoors.
Water before meals
Staying hydrated can be beneficial to your health on multiple levels. But drinking water 30 minutes before eating will earn you extra points. Shane Allen is a sports nutritionist at Personal Food Trainer and recommends drinking a glass of water 30 minutes prior to eating.
Allen explains that “researchers believe the time between drinking alcohol and eating allows you to feel satisfied while also giving you time for you to make better choices about what you are going eat.” You will avoid the “my eyes are bigger than my stomach!” scenario at family dinners or holiday parties.
Warm up your muscles.
It can be tempting to hibernate in the winter months. It’s not good for your body to curl up like a couch potato. Lack of movement can cause stiff joints and muscles in the cold.
According to Dr Nupur Kohli, the author of Chill!, you must keep your muscles and joints relaxed and warm during the holiday season. How to Survive Stress. He recommends “getting a massage or visit a sauna, if you can, and drink hot drinks and do light exercises in order to relax and stay fit.”
Remember to brush your teeth.
Make sure to include raw vegetables in every meal. Why? According to Dr Matthew Mullally, Bright Side Dental promotes good dental health. He said that people tend to count calories during holiday meals, but they rarely think about their teeth. Streptococcus mutans, bacteria which contributes to tooth decay and allows plaque to form, can thrive on the appetizer table.
Mullally suggests that you include nuts with your meal to strengthen your teeth and prevent staining.
Include short periods of exercise throughout the day.
You probably don’t want to hear the word “exercise” in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle. Neglecting this aspect can affect your mood. Carol Michaels, fitness expert and author, warns that your health could deteriorate during the holidays if you don’t exercise.
You’re more likely to experience stress and lethargy if you don’t get enough physical activity. You want your season to feel differently. Michaels recommends sneaking in 10-minute exercise sessions or going for walks.
She adds, “Do your exercise first thing in morning when you are more energetic.” It will help reduce stress and will also allow you to control your eating habits better.
Meditation is a great way to relax.
Sometimes, stress can affect us for strange reasons. We can’t stop the feelings, but we can decide how we react. Dr. Kathy Gruver of The Alternative Medicine Cabinet says: “We know that meditation is good for us.” “But not everyone can stop and sit down to meditate during the holidays.”
The best part is that nobody needs to know! The best part? No one will ever know!
Plan (and double-check it!)
Kohli says that planning is the best way to ensure a stress-free, healthy holiday season. With a bit of planning, we can avoid many of the harmful health decisions that we make. Think about the weeks ahead before you go to your inlaws, do your shopping or clean your house. Put in place safeguards for the days that you think will be most stressful.
It could be as simple as putting a few healthy meals in the freezer before you leave or scheduling a class at the gym. When you’re prepared, you won’t feel as if you’re in chaos and can relax, says Kohli.
Shah spends five minutes each morning alone to focus on the bigger picture. She says, “I want to be energized for a holiday filled with activities; I want to spend quality time present.” Why bother if you’re not going to enjoy yourself?
A healthy and happy New Year to you!
The healthy holiday tips you’ve been following don’t need to end when the New Year comes around! Make it your new routine to maintain momentum throughout the year. Stress and laziness don’t just happen during the holidays.
Consider extending your influence if your passion for health and wellness is contagious. Would you like to help your community make healthier decisions? They are paid for doing just that. Find out what it is like to be a community worker.
