There is a whole lot to love about the holiday season. However, the holidays can come with certain special stressors that escalate this time of year. These stressors can really impact our health. When most of us think of holiday health, we think of our physical well being including weight management, food choices, sleep, and energy levels. However, the very things that make a holiday a holiday can be equally as detrimental to our well being. For most people, these are family stressors, work deadlines, gift giving, and the endless lists that come along with making a holiday a holiday. The good news is, with a little preparation, these stressors don’t have to sabotage your health this holiday season. My tips this week give you a few quick strategies to protect your physical + mental health this year, and have yourself a merry healthy holiday!
Tara’s Tuesday Tips For A Merry Healthy Holiday
Move!
Micro-movements count! Go out for a walk, park far away, take the stairs, put some music on + dance, plan an active holiday outing instead of a sedentary one. Schedule an exercise class, a run, a ride, or a walk this week with a friend that you do not want to let down if you do not show up.
Be Careful!
Food illness and accidents are extremely common during the holidays. Here is how to stay safe: keep hot food hot + cold food cold, refrigerate or freeze any perishable food within 2 hours. Most importantly, wash your hands when handling food + prior to eating or cooking. In addition, be careful with knives, flames, and kids in the kitchen. Above all, stay home if you are sick!
Schedule Self Care
Try to keep your usual schedule including anything you do for yourself! Even if that is 5 minutes of alone time, getting to bed at a decent time, reading, yoga, meditation, music, massage, whatever your thing is, don’t skip it this week!
Let It Go + Have A Merry Healthy Holiday
Perfection does not equal happiness. Imperfection is ok sometimes. Embrace the imperfect moments + soften your expectations. Say no to feeling guilty if there are one dozen less cookies, one less bow tied on top of a present, one less box checked on the to-do list. In the words of the Grinch, “maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more”.
Eat Good Mood Foods
Say yes to the cookie or the candy or both if that is what makes you feel happy, but remember, make room in your day or your week for the good mood foods. If you are thinking, “I’ll go back to eating those in January”, maybe give that plan a second thought. You want to be at your best physically + mentally for yourself and your loved ones, try to balance the good stuff with the good-for-you stuff. Start here: The Vegetarian’s Guide To Mood Boosting Foods.
Stay Hydrated
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT! Drink water + more water. Flush out the toxins, prevent constipation, prevent illnesses, and it keeps you feeling full. Again, don’t put off ALL of the healthy habits until January!
Take A Few Deep Breaths
One gentle cleansing breath goes a long way! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy or yoga or meditation. When things get to be too much, close your eyes and take a deep, cleansing breath, you will thank me!
Take It Outside
A little fresh air, maybe some sunshine, or a cool breeze. This can be an amazing + simple reset!
Say No To What Doesn’t Work For You
This includes people, outings, and even food! One of the most important tips for a merry healthy holiday is to prioritize the things that bring you joy, say no to the rest.
Find Food Freedom
Ditch the diet culture. If food choices have power over you, take the power back. Especially during the holiday season, there shouldn’t be guilt or anxiety around food choices. This doesn’t mean we all sit around and eat donuts all day. It does mean that you can fuel your body with the nutrition it needs while finding the balance + peace where all foods can have a place in your life … without rules … especially during the holiday season! Check this out: What To Do After Overeating.
Pay Attention To What Really Matters
Although food is an extremely important part of the holidays, put the focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer. Give yourself permission to enjoy + indulge, do it and move on. Be present, laugh, do something new, and most importantly, be kind.
Happy Holidays + Be Well 🎁
Tara ⛄
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