Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it is important to remember self-care and self-love. Not sticking to the healthy habits that you had formed throughout the rest of the year might seem a little unnerving, and you might be worried about packing on some winter weight—especially with how stressful the holidays can be for many. In light of all this, there is hope for having a healthier holiday season without missing out on all the fun and excitement.
Here are some tips for a healthy holiday:
- Keep a schedule
The holidays are sure to have you booked up to the ears with appointments, meetings, parties, and other festivities. However, you can always make time to exercise. Pencil in your workouts to ensure you are leaving space for you to do what you want. Remember to take brisk walks throughout the day or do tabata or HIIT sequences to keep the metabolism going or hit the gym for all those special holiday classes going on.
- Eat something healthy every day
Yes, every day. Try your best throughout the holidays to keep the pantry stocked with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cook for yourself whenever you aren’t at a party or dining out. Track what you eat too, as this will curb your urges to overeat and help you fill nutritional imbalances.
- Keep the treats to a minimum
Embrace the idea of 80% wholesome nutrition, 20% cheat or treat—especially during the holidays. Choose your treats wisely. If you know your Aunt makes an awesome pumpkin pie, you can skip the cookies today in order to enjoy that tomorrow.
- Get a massage or an adjustment
During the holidays, stress can cause a lot of unnecessary tension. Give yourself a present and schedule a massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic adjustment to help loosen up the muscles. You will leave feeling much more relaxed and energized.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself
Look, at the end of the day, you want to be able to enjoy this special time with family and friends instead of worrying over your health. If you overeat at a party, don’t be hard on yourself. Don’t get in the mindset that healthy eating and exercise is a punishment, because then you won’t be able to enjoy it. Instead, think of the holidays as a time to rest up and give yourself the care you need. Just remember to balance these little bloopers with a smarter decision. If you overeat one day, watch your caloric intake the next day. If you have too many sweets at the party, select lighter meals afterwards. Laze around all evening? Work out in the morning.
Happy Holidays to you. Don’t forget to stop by a clinic if you’re feeling a little tight for a quick adjustment and keep moving through the holidays and into the New Year.