7 tips for staying healthy during the holidays

vii tips for staying good for you during the holidays

a photo of a woman doing yoga during the holidays

(Image credit: Somyot Techapuwapat)

Information technology's the holidays, and that means lots of gifts, quality fourth dimension with family and friends, and an countless assortment of food and drinks. While virtually of us look forward to this time of year, many wonder how to stay good for you during the holidays.

Will those weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year'due south Day completely derail your wellness and fitness goals? Should y'all really deny yourself of all the treats, parties, and merriment in order to stay on track?

Here are a few tips to help you savor the holiday flavor while staying healthy.

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Mindfully indulge

A photo of a christmas turkey — (Prototype credit: Thomas Barwick)

Instead of forgoing your favorite vacation cookies and eggnog, relish these delicacies consciously.

Food is enjoyable because information technology tastes good, but don't forget that we have four other senses that are also a part of the experience. Take the time to appreciate the smells, textures, colors, and fifty-fifty sounds of your nearly cherished goodies. Mindfully focus your attention on all the aspects that brand your favorites so tasty — place your utensils down while you chew, and look until after y'all've swallowed to take some other mouthwatering seize with teeth (or sip). Taking your time to indulge may help yous to both eat less and recall your favorite treats in more vivid item, as this written report found.

But what if you lot're at a political party? How do you focus on your food when there is so much action all around you? You tin e'er wait for lulls in chat to take a seize with teeth - that way you tin focus nearly of your attention on how good that cookie, slice of pie, or slice of cheese tastes. Yous can likewise have in the sights and sounds around yous, and notice how that enhances your experience.

By taking the time to mindfully indulge in your favorite foods, you lot'll find eating them even more gratifying than yous did in holidays past. Plus, you may find you demand to eat fewer of those favorites to feel fully satisfied.

Accept a "time out"

a person sitting chatting at a christmas dinner table — (Paradigm credit: Morsa Images)

Have you ever left the dinner table feeling moderately full, but then later you lot feel similar you're nearly to flare-up? That'southward because it takes approximately 20 minutes from the time we begin eating for our stomachs to tell our brains that we're full. So while we continue to chow down on turkey and stuffing, we might exist stuffed already without even knowing it.

If you're feeling a strong urge for a 2nd, third, or fourth helping, requite yourself a v to ten-minute "time out." Start a conversation at the table, propose a quick card game with your family, or give a good friend a telephone call. Afterward that fourth dimension is upwardly, revisit the idea of some other plate. You may still want more - if that's the instance, go for it! But you may also realize that you're full plenty as it is.

Get a little exercise

A photo of two men running over the holidays — (Epitome credit: SolStock)

At that place's no incertitude most it — the holidays tin get very busy. And for a lot of u.s.a., a tight schedule can mean skipped workouts. But even if you tin can't find the fourth dimension for an all-out gym session, endeavour committing to at to the lowest degree a few minutes of exercise every day.

Moving your body intentionally is obviously important for your physical health, but information technology's important for your mental health too. According to this written report, exercise can reduce your risks for severe depression by upwards to 26%. You lot don't even need to run for miles — something as unproblematic as a x-minute walk can come with mood-boosting benefits.

If you lot're lacking motivation, try giving yourself a long-term goal, similar excavation out your running shoes and running your beginning 5K (here's how to run a 5K) or doing 20 pushups in a row. Even meliorate — claiming your friends and family unit to join you! Having a specific goal (and some friendly competition) makes exercise more focused and enjoyable.

Stay hydrated

A glass of water at the Christmas dinner table — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The holidays are full of spirits — both figurative and literal. If yous imbibe, all those spirits from the holiday party may leave you feeling less than "well-spirited" the side by side morning. Stave off a nasty hangover by staying hydrated. A adept rule of thumb? Have one full glass of water later on each alcoholic drink yous consume.

Even if y'all don't potable, it's nevertheless a good idea to get plenty of water. Take a bottle with you when shopping for gifts or running vacation-related errands.

Remember your meds

A photo of a mother giving her son a tablet — (Paradigm credit: Shutterstock)

With fourth dimension off from work or school for vacation breaks, your mean solar day-to-day routine tin can get thrown off. When that happens, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to forget daily medications, vitamins, or supplements. Try placing pill bottles in conspicuous places so you'll see them — on your nightstand, by your toothbrush, or on your java tabular array.

If you still have trouble remembering, set a reminder on your telephone or watch.

Reach out for help

A photo of a woman looking sad at christmas — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

The holidays aren't necessarily a happy time for anybody. Seasonal Affective Disorder (for those in the Northern Hemisphere), grief, trauma, loss, and strained relationships can all bear on our mental and physical health this time of year.

If you need assist navigating the holidays, reach out to a qualified mental health professional person. You tin notice one through your health insurance, by asking your doctor for a referral or even via smartphone apps.

Everything in moderation — including moderation

a photo of two people drinking hot chocolate — (Image credit: svetikd)

Sure, it's of import to practise and not overindulge. Only the reality is — it's the holidays, and they come effectually once a year. A night of eating too much or a skipped workout is not going to disengage all the piece of work yous've done. Don't feel guilty! Instead, savour the holidays for all the wonderful experiences they bring, and do what y'all can to experience connected to your mind and body.

If you practise find yourself craving some green vegetables, or a killer workout or 2 subsequently the holidays, we've found some that'll assist get you going:

Tone your intestinal muscles with the Lily Sabri 7-solar day ab workout or the Pamela Reif half-dozen-pack ab workout. Boost your running motivation with these tips on how to run faster in 2022, or shop for i of the best exercise bikes to up your cardio indoors.

Jennifer Rizzuto is a freelance writer and certified personal trainer based in Long Isle, NY. She covers various fitness-related topics and reviews for Tom'south Guide. She also writes sketch comedy and brusk films, and performs ofttimes every bit an actor, vocaliser, and improviser. When she'southward not writing, working out, or performing, yous'll find her trying to convince her husband to become a dog.