During the holidays, it’s so easy to let your mental and physical health take the back burner. It’s essential that you focus on yourself as well as your friends and family during the holiday season. Your mental health can be strained during these times, with the thoughts of family and gifts heightened. While you may be stressed out mentally, the holidays also bring food and lots of it! Most of the time, it’s not always the healthiest foods either. Altogether, your body is put through different situations during the holiday season that you may not be experiencing throughout the rest of the year. We’ve put together four ways that will keep you your healthiest this holiday season.
Manage Stress
People always expect everyone to be in happy and joyful spirits during the holidays. However, for many of us, it causes stress. There are more events (within the current restrictions due to the pandemic), more people you are giving your attention to, and time seems to speed up and get the best of you. Financially many people feel stress when the holidays come around as well. There are many ways that you can eliminate some of this stress during this time.
Say no as much as you say yes. It’s okay to set your limits and only say yes to the things that you actually want to do. Don’t burden yourself simply because you feel obligated to say yes to hosting your works virtual holiday party.
Take time to yourself. Yes, of course, the holidays are focused on friends and family and those that you love, but it’s important to take some time to unwind yourself. Take a break Sunday evening to treat yourself and think of all that you are grateful for.
Eat Healthy & Stay Active
Food is a big part of the holiday season. Your grandma’s pumpkin pie might be the best thing that you’ve ever tasted, but how healthy is it actually? While you don’t want to keep yourself from enjoying all that is available on your kitchen counter, make sure to eat the right proportions, and add some healthier options in there as well.
Try keeping a regular workout schedule to ensure that you don’t let your health fall off the wagon. During the holidays it can be hard to find the motivation to get up and get moving, there are holiday specials on each channel, and you just can’t seem to find the time. Do a quick search on YouTube and find a fun holiday-themed yoga or pilates video to follow and keep your heart pumping prior to the big holiday feast! Even a quick walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the holiday lights is a great way to stay active during this hectic time.
Meet with Your Health Care Provider
Our bodies, just like cars, need to be maintained and checked up on from time to time. Before the end of the year, schedule an appointment with your health care provider if you haven’t yet had your annual exam. Make sure to check with them to see if you’re due for any specific screenings or vaccines. This will allow you to feel good about yourself physically before meeting with your family and ensure that you’re healthy and not exposing them to any sickness.
If you’re past due for your annual visit, feel free to reach out to us and get your next appointment scheduled! Contact us here!
Stay Rested.
During the holiday season, it’s essential to rest. Stress is at an all-time high for a lot of people, which can cause you to lose sleep or not get a good night’s sleep. There are a few ways that can help to ensure that you stay well-rested during this time.
Try revamping your space. Take the time to put out a few holiday decorations and a new set of warmer sheets on your bed. Create a space that you want to cozy up in.
Stick to your routine. Don’t stay up until the wee hours of the morning online shopping for the perfect present. Set a time that you want to get into bed and stick to it. If you have a specific routine that you do each night, make sure to keep it going during the holiday season.
While the holiday season is a wonderful time, it can often bring a bit of chaos or throw us off our routine. These four things are great ways to make sure you stick to a healthy lifestyle and don’t let everything get to you. Allow yourself to take time to practice gratitude! Doing this allows you to really enjoy being around and spending time with your loved ones. Holidays can be hectic and stressful, but it’s important to be thankful for all that you have and cherish your time with those you love.