For many people, the holiday season is a time of celebration and relaxation. For others, however, it’s a stressful period that can lead to overeating and forgetfulness when it comes to taking care of yourself. In addition to the pressures of shopping and traveling, many people feel rushed during this time of year because there’s so much going on at once! In order to help you stay healthy over the holidays, here are some simple tips:
Avoid overindulging
When you’re feeling full, you tend to slow down. Eating slowly gives your brain time to register that you’ve had enough food so it can stop sending out hunger signals. The signal that tells your body when it’s full won’t be activated if you eat too fast.
Another way to keep portions in check is by having a healthy snack before going to a holiday party. If you’re eating smaller portions of healthier foods, then there is less chance that you’ll overeat at the party—and all of those greasy, sugary treats will leave more room for healthy ones!
Make sure not to skip meals, either. If you go too long without eating anything nutritious and then indulge at a holiday event (or even just after), it can wreak havoc on your digestive system and cause bloating and heartburn. No one wants their belly sticking out like Jabba the Hutt! Drinks like peppermint tea are great because they help soothe upset stomachs while providing an energy boost as well—yay!
Eat before you go to a party
Eating before you go is the best way to stay healthy over the holidays. If you’re going straight from work, grab some food beforehand. Or at least bring something with you that will tide you over until dinner. This can be as simple as a piece of fruit or some nuts, but having something in your stomach will help prevent overeating later on.
If the party is at someone’s house and there isn’t much food around (or if their refrigerator is bare), offer to pick up something for everyone, so nobody has to make an emergency trip to the store in between cocktails!
When it comes time for dinner itself, choose wisely. Your best bet is probably going “buffet”-style or having take-out delivered instead of eating what’s being offered. There are bound to be healthier options available elsewhere if needed. Otherwise, ask politely if they have anything else they could offer instead before digging into the buffet line yourself. It’s also important not
to drink on an empty stomach when attending events like these—you’ll feel worse than ever afterward!
Be mindful when eating
Even though you are eating, you should also be mindful of your food. If you want to stay healthy over the holidays, you must be aware of what you are eating and how it makes you feel. It’s not just about the food itself, but also the way in which it is eaten. Mindful eating is a form of meditation in which people focus on their sensations and thoughts during meals to promote better health, happiness, and an overall sense of well-being.
Being mindful of food doesn’t mean every meal has to be silent while you meditate on its nutritional value or caloric content (that’s called ‘deprivation,’ not mindfulness). You can still enjoy snacks and treats. As long as they don’t give rise to craving. This often happens when we turn something into an idol (a “thing” that we hold onto for security).
It may seem like a lot to remember at first: focus on being aware rather than stuffing yourself with stuff; do this by paying attention without judgment; avoid overindulging when possible; remember what good things come with moderation! But once these practices become second nature, they will help keep us happy while we’re away from home during the holidays – even if that only lasts until January 1st rolls around again!
Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it often
Clean hands are important if you plan to stay healthy over the holidays. You might think that hand sanitizer is just for when you’re out and about, but it’s also a good idea to keep a bottle by your desk or in the bathroom at home. Having this stuff on hand means that if someone comes over who has gotten sick (or just has one of those inevitable colds), you can use it to clean their hands before they touch anything else.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re using hand sanitizer correctly:
- Rub your hands together until they are dry, then apply the gel generously.
- Make sure you cover all areas of your hands with the sanitizing gel. If necessary, rub them together again until they feel slippery and smooth.
- If possible, avoid touching other surfaces after applying the product—it’s not supposed to get everywhere!
Find time for exercise, even if it’s just a small amount
You don’t have to do a lot of exercise to reap the health benefits. Try to find time for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. But if you’re really pressed for time during the holiday season, even 10 minutes here and there will help decrease your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
It’s important because it gives your body more energy and allows you to better deal with stress—which may be an issue during this time of year!
So think about what kinds of exercises you enjoy doing most—walking around the block? Taking a dance class? Playing tennis with friends? And then make sure that once or twice each week (or whatever works best for your schedule), you fit in those regular activities that get your blood pumping and make you feel great!
Try not to stress out about everything that you need to do
Don’t worry about things you can’t control, and don’t worry about things that are out of your control. This is a good rule for life in general, but especially for the holidays.
It’s also important to take care of yourself during this time of year, so if something gets stressful or overwhelming, remember it’s okay to step away from it for a little while and give yourself some space.
Take a few minutes to relax every day
You can’t wear yourself out before the holiday season even starts. Please take a few minutes each day to relax, whether breathing deeply or walking in nature.
The holidays are stressful enough without adding more stress on top of it. Make sure you take time for yourself every day.
Conclusion
If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy and stay healthy over the holidays and celebrations without failing. The most important thing is to make sure that you take care of yourself before, during, and after all that holiday fun!