7 tips for staying healthy during the holidays

7 tips for staying salubrious during the holidays

a photo of a woman doing yoga during the holidays

(Image credit: Somyot Techapuwapat)

It's the holidays, and that ways lots of gifts, quality time with family and friends, and an countless array of food and drinks. While most of united states of america look forward to this time of year, many wonder how to stay healthy during the holidays.

Will those weeks between Thanksgiving and New year's day'south Day completely derail your health and fitness goals? Should you lot really deny yourself of all the treats, parties, and merriment in order to stay on track?

Here are a few tips to help yous enjoy the holiday season while staying salubrious.

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Mindfully indulge

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

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

Food is enjoyable because it tastes expert, but don't forget that we have iv other senses that are also a role of the feel. Have the fourth dimension to appreciate the smells, textures, colors, and even sounds of your most cherished goodies. Mindfully focus your attending on all the aspects that brand your favorites so tasty — place your utensils down while you chew, and expect until after you've swallowed to take another mouthwatering bite (or sip). Taking your time to indulge may assistance yous to both eat less and think your favorite treats in more than vivid detail, every bit this study found.

Just what if you're at a party? How do you focus on your food when at that place is so much activeness all around you lot? You lot tin can e'er wait for lulls in conversation to have a bite - that mode you can focus most of your attending on how skillful that cookie, slice of pie, or piece of cheese tastes. You can also take in the sights and sounds around you, and notice how that enhances your experience.

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

Take a "time out"

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

Take y'all ever left the dinner tabular array feeling moderately full, but then later you feel like you lot're nearly to burst? That's because it takes approximately 20 minutes from the time nosotros begin eating for our stomachs to tell our brains that we're total. And so while we continue to chow down on turkey and stuffing, nosotros might exist stuffed already without even knowing it.

If you lot're feeling a strong urge for a 2d, third, or fourth helping, give yourself a five to ten-minute "time out." Start a conversation at the table, suggest a quick carte du jour game with your family unit, or requite a practiced friend a telephone call. Subsequently that time is upwards, revisit the idea of another plate. You may still desire more - if that's the case, get for information technology! But yous may also realize that you lot're full enough as information technology is.

Get a trivial exercise

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

There'southward no doubtfulness about information technology — the holidays can get very busy. And for a lot of us, a tight schedule can mean skipped workouts. But even if yous tin't observe the time for an all-out gym session, try committing to at least a few minutes of exercise every day.

Moving your body intentionally is apparently of import for your physical wellness, but it's important for your mental health besides. According to this study, exercise can reduce your risks for severe low past up to 26%. You lot don't fifty-fifty demand to run for miles — something every bit uncomplicated as a 10-minute walk can come with mood-boosting benefits.

If you lot're lacking motivation, try giving yourself a long-term goal, similar digging out your running shoes and running your start 5K (here's how to run a 5K) or doing 20 pushups in a row. Even better — challenge your friends and family to join you lot! 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 y'all imbibe, all those spirits from the vacation party may exit y'all feeling less than "well-spirited" the next morning. Stave off a nasty hangover by staying hydrated. A expert rule of pollex? Take 1 total glass of water later on each alcoholic drinkable you swallow.

Even if you don't beverage, it's still a adept idea to get plenty of water. Accept a canteen with yous when shopping for gifts or running holiday-related errands.

Remember your meds

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

With fourth dimension off from work or school for holiday breaks, your day-to-solar day routine can get thrown off. When that happens, it's easy to forget daily medications, vitamins, or supplements. Try placing pill bottles in conspicuous places so you'll see them — on your nightstand, past your toothbrush, or on your coffee tabular array.

If you still accept trouble remembering, set a reminder on your phone or lookout man.

Accomplish out for assistance

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

The holidays aren't necessarily a happy fourth dimension for everyone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (for those in the Northern Hemisphere), grief, trauma, loss, and strained relationships tin can all touch on our mental and concrete wellness this time of year.

If you lot demand help navigating the holidays, reach out to a qualified mental health professional. You can find one through your wellness insurance, past asking your doctor for a referral or even via smartphone apps.

Everything in moderation — including moderation

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

Certain, it'southward important to exercise and non overindulge. But the reality is — it'southward the holidays, and they come around in one case a year. A night of eating too much or a skipped workout is not going to undo all the work you've washed. Don't feel guilty! Instead, savour the holidays for all the wonderful experiences they bring, and do what y'all tin can to feel continued to your mind and body.

If you practise detect yourself peckish some green vegetables, or a killer workout or 2 later the holidays, we've found some that'll aid become y'all going:

Tone your intestinal muscles with the Lily Sabri vii-day ab workout or the Pamela Reif 6-pack ab workout. Boost your running motivation with these tips on how to run faster in 2022, or shop for 1 of the best practise 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'southward Guide. She also writes sketch comedy and brusque films, and performs ofttimes equally an actor, singer, and improviser. When she'due south non writing, working out, or performing, y'all'll observe her trying to convince her husband to get a dog.