The holidays are a time for celebration and joy, but they can also be a time of stress and anxiety. With all the extra food and festivities, it can be tough to stick to your health routine. But don’t let the holidays ruin your health! There are plenty of things you can do to take care of yourself this season. In this article, we will discuss some tips for staying healthy during the holidays. Follow these tips and you’ll be feeling your best in no time!
8 Ways to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
The holidays are a time for family, friends, and fun. But they can also be a time of stress and bad habits. With seasonal stressors like end-of-year work deadlines, gift shopping and hosting potentially weighing on you. “The truth is, people do tend to abandon healthy habits during the winter,” says Dr. Beth Frates, clinical assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are plenty of things you can do to stay on track with your health goals during the holiday season. Here are 8 tips:
1. Change your focus. Put the focus on friends, family, and fun, instead of food. The holiday season is a time to replicate joyful memories from the past and create new ones for the future. A time for merriment, laughter, and love. A time for togetherness.
2. Partake (in moderation). It’s okay to enjoy holiday treats, but do so in moderation. Balance out party foods and sweets with healthy choices like fruits and vegetables. And when it comes to alcoholic beverages, stick to one drink per day if you’re a woman, or two drinks if you’re a man.
3. Don’t pause workouts. Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you have to skip workouts altogether. If you can’t make it to the gym, try doing bodyweight exercises at home or going for a run outdoors—and involve your friends and family members in activities whenever possible.
4. Try a new activity. Have some fun with your fitness routine by trying a new activity together as a family or with friends—like ice skating, sledding, or snowshoeing.
5. Enlist your friends and family. Ask your loved ones for support in staying mindful of your health goals during the holidays—they can help you make better choices and hold you accountable when needed (like passing on that second slice of pie).
6. Gear up for activity. To make sure you’re prepared for impromptu holiday activities—like going for a walk after dinner or tossing around a football at the park—keep some fitness gear handy (such as comfortable shoes and clothing, a water bottle, sunscreen, etc.).
7. Track your habits. Use a food log or activity tracker to help you stay on track with your eating and exercise goals during the holidays—this will help you be more mindful of what you’re consuming and allow you to see patterns that may need adjusting.
8. Skip the shame. If you do overindulge or miss a workout here or there, don’t beat yourself up about it—the important thing is getting back on track as soon as possible without dwelling on past mistakes. The holiday season is not about perfection. You don’t have to deprive yourself of all holiday foods or punish yourself for indulging.
The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but they can also be a time of stress. By following these tips from Dr. Beth Frates, you can make sure that you stay healthy during the holiday season so that you can enjoy all the festive activities with family and friends!
