It’s that time of year again, and many of us are decorating the house, looking for presents for loved ones, and making plans for festive meals. However, the holiday season can also throw off our routines for eating, exercising, sleeping, and hydration.
It can be hard to find a balance between your plans for Christmas and the new year and your health needs, which may prompt the inquiry: Is it possible to maintain good mental and physical health during the holidays? Yes, but there are some things to keep an eye out for.
Stay active
Choosing workouts that target the entire body can be helpful for those who are short on time over the Christmas break; instead of concentrating on specific muscle groups. Building and maintaining strength is always beneficial, regardless of the season, so it’s a good idea to incorporate resistance bands and weights into your workout routine.
Create healthy holiday traditions
Seasonal activities can be fun for the holidays and help you make healthier traditions. To see holiday lights and decorations, walk around your neighborhood rather than driving. Take part in winter sports like sledding, ice skating, snow skiing, or a winter nature hike. Set up a walk or a game after the holiday meal to spend time with family members while engaging in enjoyable physical activities.
Dancing is also a great way to keep in shape and not only would it boost the party spirit, but it’s a great aerobic exercise that’ll raise your heartbeat and get those endorphins flowing.
Remember that ‘treats’ are part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle
While it’s fine to want to stay on track with your health and fitness goals over the holiday season, worrying too much about them may dampen your holiday spirit and prevent you from enjoying the season to the fullest. As a result, it’s critical that you give yourself plenty of time for fun.
Treats should be seen as a normal part of a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle when it comes to your diet. You don’t have to “start again” the next day and punish yourself for what you ate and drank the night before just because you had a few glasses of wine or a slice of cake.
Having a positive mental relationship with your diet and fitness goals is especially important in this situation. Try to keep in mind that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so treat yourself with kindness.
There is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of the holiday and have some fun. You have the right to unwind. Simply maintain moderation in everything.
Practise mindful eating
When it comes to eating healthy, Christmas is probably the most difficult time of the year. Frequently because there is a lot of food available and many of us have more free time. However, there are some ways to enjoy any delicious food that’s on offer, without leaving yourself feeling stuffed and uncomfortable.
For example, eating mindfully can help. This means taking your time when eating, thinking about and savouring each mouthful, and chewing your food fully.
Generally speaking, the holiday season is a time to relax and enjoy ourselves after a long year, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of our health as well.
Moderation and harmony are typically the keys to success when it comes to happiness and health throughout the year. Making an effort to stay active in between periods of relaxation, getting enough sleep, and drinking more water can make a big difference to how you feel.
