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Taking care of your wellness, both physical and emotional, is crucial to feeling your best. So it’s no wonder we all want to maintain healthy habits throughout the holidays.
We all know that maintaining your health becomes a bit more challenging around the holiday season. But it doesn’t have to be! The holidays are meant to be an enjoyable time spent with friends and family.
You deserve to be fully present and healthy during the holidays, just like any other time of the year. These are a few of our recommendations for prioritizing every aspect of your health during this busy season.
Get Lots Of Rest
‘Restful’ probably doesn’t come to mind when you think of the holidays. But the bustle of the holiday season can result in burnout if you don’t take time to rest and recharge.
Getting enough sleep is the first line of defense against sickness and emotional burnout. Along with rest, don’t compromise your de-stressing strategies. Whether it be yoga or a short meditation, make your relaxation practices non-negotiable.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is an essential tool during the holidays. This season, try to pay attention to how food makes you feel, how movement (or lack of) makes you feel, and how certain people make you feel. Tuning in to the information your body is giving you will help you make more health-promoting decisions.
Self Care
Listening to what your body needs is an excellent form of self-care. Continuously ask yourself what you need. Is it space? Is it a healthy meal? Is it a slow walk?
Sometimes deciding what you want to eat at a holiday party means taking into consideration how that food will make you feel in the long term. Will drinking the eggnog make you feel lousy for the rest of the day? Then ask yourself if it is worth it. Sometimes it isn’t, but sometimes it is. Both are health-promoting choices.
The most important thing to remember is to prioritize your health. Listen to your body, eat when you are hungry, and be sure to stay hydrated.
Move More
If you tune in to your body, often, you will find it telling you to move more. Although it is easy to neglect exercise during the holiday season, the movement will help keep you feeling your best.
Find fun ways to get in some physical activity. You could even schedule physical activity into family events, for example, a nature walk after dinner.
Think Nutrition
Eating less nutritious foods is one inevitable and fun part of the holidays. However, you may find you feel better when you also incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your meals.
One easy way to get in some greens is to eat them in a smoothie or an omelet at breakfast. Another option is to bring a healthier dish to a potluck style gathering. Thankfully there are plenty of great-tasting and nutritious holiday dishes.
Reframe Your Mindset
Instead of focusing on the stress of the holidays, reframe your mindset on the celebration with your loved ones. In the end, the holidays are a chance to be grateful, not regretful.
You may have noticed that most of these holiday health tips are habits that you should be cultivating year-round. The holidays, like any other time of the year, should be experienced while finding a healthy balance that works for you.
It’s all about moderation. Holiday celebrations mean that you will most likely alter your sleeping schedule and eating habits for a few days, and that’s okay. Hopefully, these tips can help you realistically prioritize your health while still enjoying all the festivities.
Happy Holidays!