The holidays are often a time of overindulgence, stress, and late nights. Children get overstimulated by all the excitement in the air. With everything going on, it can be hard to stay healthy.
Fortunately, making a few adjustments over the holiday season can help you and your family stay happy and healthy as you close off this year and prepare for the next. Here are five easy ways to stay healthy this holiday season.
Schedule in Some Downtime
December comes with this feeling of constantly being on the go. Holiday parties, special events, and Christmas itself can be overwhelming not only to children but to adults as well. The constant stress can reduce immune function and make it easier to get sick as the month progresses. That’s why it is so important to schedule in downtime.
Look at your calendar and determine which days you can afford to designate as rest days. As with exercise, rest days are important for our mental health. Block off these days as busy, and allow yourself the opportunity to put your feet up and relax. Alternatively, schedule a low-impact family activity for these days, such as an at home board game or movie night. Unplug, unwind, and recharge.
Eat Well When You Can
Eating rich foods is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday festivities. Second helpings and desserts become an expectation. Aside from that, it is easy to eat more fast food than usual when you’re busy shopping and on the road.
You can eat nutritious food throughout the holiday season with minimal planning. Keep lots of fresh fruit in stock for a quick, handheld snack. Bring a smoothie with you when you hit the mall. If you need to bring supper home with you, grab a rotisserie chicken and salad rather than a drive-through meal. Plan meals ahead of time when possible.
If you need extra nutritional support throughout the holidays, seek programs like the New York State WIC program (or local variant) for education and resources. If finances are a concern, look into buying frozen produce, dated products, and other ways to eat clean on a budget.
Consider Taking a Vitamin
If you don’t already take a vitamin, now is a great time to start. While nothing can replace the naturally sourced micronutrients and phytonutrients that we get from whole, unprocessed foods, a vitamin can fill in the gaps.
Vitamins can not only boost our immune systems, but they can also assist with weight management and bodily processes, which tend to become problematic toward the end of December. At the very least, consider taking Vitamin C to combat cold and flu germs that you come across while shopping.
Sleep is Essential
Holiday parties go hand-in-hand with late nights. Sleep deprivation can cause a manner of different issues, including weight gain, mental fogginess, increased blood pressure, and decreased immune function.
When you’re scheduling in downtime, be sure to schedule in nights that you’ll go to bed earlier than usual. While there are undoubtedly a million things to do at the end of the day, getting enough sleep is crucial to maintaining your wellness during this busy time.
Exercise Regularly
If you already have an exercise routine, be sure to stick to it over the holidays. Even if your sessions aren’t as long, or you miss a day here and there, maintaining your routine will make January a lot easier.
If you don’t already have an exercise routine, now isn’t the best time to try and start one. However, you should still get moving as much as possible. Get out for a couple of walks. Practice 10 minutes of yoga before bedtime. Download a fitness app and do a 10-15 minute workout a few times a week. Get your blood flowing, feel the endorphins, and burn off some of that stress.
The holidays will be over before you know it. Keeping a focus on your health and wellness will help you enjoy every minute of the season while starting the New Year off on the right foot.
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