What Does It Mean To Be Healthy During The Holidays

The holidays are a great time to enjoy the company of family, friends and lots of new memories. However, they aren’t always compatible with a healthy lifestyle. What does it mean to be healthy during the holidays? It’s effortless to slack on the healthy eating and exercise we usually maintain. Christmas is a time to indulge, but don’t let this allow overindulgence!

 

Slammed together, all the festive parties, family functions, and even the stress the holidays can bring can mean a massive blow to our overall well-being from November to New Year’s. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Fortunately, you can still enjoy all the holiday festivities and get through the Christmas period without too much negative impact on your health and waistline.

 

Continue reading and learn my top 6 tips for a healthier holiday season…

 

Don’t sit down all day

 

Conventionally, every Christmas special will be aired on the TV, even weeks before the holidays. I’m not saying to discard your television from your living room or not to reminisce on the Home Alone series.

 

But try to encourage your family to walk at some point—ideally, after dinner to aid digestion. The more activities you perform as a family, the better. A great way to do this is by breaking in any new outdoor gifts like bikes, scooters, or footballs.

 

Limit the booze

 

It isn’t uncommon to find bottles of wine and other favorable alcoholic beverages on the scene during the holidays. A little alcohol consumption—for those who partake—may help reduce some stress and maintain a positive morale in the sometimes stressful atmosphere of one’s entire family.

 

But the holidays are usually an excuse for people to overindulge in drinking, leading to bloating and weight gain. A better strategy would be to follow up an alcoholic drink with a glass of water. And keep moving throughout the day to burn additional calories. So, do try to keep an account of how much you are drinking, and intersperse alcoholic drinks with good ole H2O.

 

 

Stuffing is for the turkey, not your stomach

 

Recent studies suggest that we consume around 5-7,000 calories on Christmas day – more than the entire recommended daily intake for men and three times the RDA for women!

 

This caloric spike contributes to weight gain, indigestion, and heartburn. Additionally, this instant caloric surplus causes most people to be still for the rest of the day, reducing the chances of burning extra calories. Instead of devouring tons of food by yourself at Christmas dinner, try to consume a normal-sized meal and then take a 20-minute break to see if you are still hungry. Most likely, you’ll realize you’ve had enough.

 

The holidays are usually a time of abundance. Different foods, desserts, candies, chocolates, pies, etc. It would probably sound like blasphemy to suggest not eating any goodies over the holiday season! But rather than mindlessly indulging in every sugary treat that crosses your path, take a moment of self-inventory and decide whether you want it or are just eating it because it’s available.

 

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Try to limit stress

 

The holiday season is typically for joy, family, and building memories. But jolly is the last thing some people may feel due to overspending, cooking, cleaning, and keeping a good family image.

 

One of the simplest ways to manage the stress that could come with the different aspects of the holiday season is to keep a sense of humor. It is not the world’s end if the turkey is overcooked or the blinds are dusty. Don’t let your parents get under your skin so bad that it brings you out of character and evokes a negative response.

 

Remember, the holiday season lasts for a short time, and it’s best to have a nonchalant attitude to minimize your stress levels and get through the holidays with a complete set of hair.

 

Eat lots of fruit

 

Let’s be honest. Most of us have heard of the benefits of fruits and vegetables since we were in diapers. However, they don’t settle well on the Christmas menu, especially in comparison to eggnog and chocolate chip cookies.

 

But as much as we love late-night festivities, overindulging, and partying, it’s imperative that you consume an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals to help you stay in good health.

 

Ensure that your Christmas shopping list is loaded with different kinds of fruit and veggies to get your recommended daily portions of fruit and veg.

 

 

Do Something For Others

 

The Western world has overtaken Christmas and completely monetized every aspect of it, so avoiding excess consumerism is hard. Christmas doesn’t all have to be about receiving gifts. Try to do something for others this holiday season, whether bringing a home-cooked meal to your neighbor or donating gifts to a local charity.

 

Acts of service are a great way to release dopamine, a chemical released in the brain that makes you feel good. Having the right amount of dopamine is vital for your body and brain. During the stressful holiday season, increasing dopamine levels can help alleviate the tensions with all the festivities.

 

Takeaway

 

The holiday season is typically a time to celebrate and be joyful. But for others, it’s nothing but a wave of stress they must endure. The combination of joyful festivities and high stress usually leads to unhealthy behavior. Following some of the simple tips in this article, you can maintain your physical and mental health, survive the holiday season, and start the new year off strong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Disclaimer:

No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or licensed clinician.