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10 Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holidays

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

During the holidays, we are surrounded by delicious food and drinks and parties and it is so easy to over indulge. "Why not? It's the holidays!" we convincingly tell ourselves. The problem is, when we overdo it, not only do our pants get tighter, we're more lethargic, less productive and experience an all around "blah" feeling both mentally and physically. This can really affect our work and home life, relationships and overall well being.

There's good news! If you keep a few tricks up your sleeve you can enjoy the holidays and still feel good and healthy as the new year rolls in.

Donkey 

Ten tips for staying healthy during the holidays:

Drink lots of water - hydration is important especially when your sugar, salt and alcohol intake increases with rich foods and festive beverages. Drinking water before a meal can also help curb your appetite by making you feel more full which can help with overeating. 

Manage stress by taking time for yourself - the holidays can be a stressful time, especially if you're the one balancing and coordinating plans, schedules, gifts, cooking and overall family management. Set aside some "you" time to do something that you love - go for a walk, relax in a bath, get a massage, watch a movie...whatever it may be, make the time for yourself.

Eat a snack before heading to a party - try to avoid arriving at a party ready to ravish anything that comes onto your plate. If you arrive at a party really hungry you're more likely to overdo it. Before you head out, eat a small healthy snack with a mix of protein, fat and complex carbs. This will help "curb your enthusiasm" for indulgence when you're out.

Exercise - keeping active will keep your blood flowing and your metabolism going during the holidays. It is also great for mental function and stress management. Even if you only have 10 minutes at a time, it makes a difference (studies show that exercise is cumulative).

Limit your alcohol - this can be a hard one, especially if you're in a social setting. Don't be afraid to set a drink maximum - it will help you stay in control. Or alternate your drink(s) with a glass of water.

Skip the seconds - when filling your plate, make it count! Enjoy that one plate of food and chew slowly. Savor each bite. This will help you avoid overeating and that uncomfortable stuffed feeling.

If it is a potluck, bring a healthy option - if you're invited to a potluck or are hosting a party, provide a healthy yet delicious option! There are some great healthy recipes online.

Get plenty of sleep - consistently getting a good night of rest is critical for proper body and mind functioning and helps keep us healthy and balanced. There are some really cool apps that track your sleep patterns if you're into that.

Avoid the sugar blues - during the holidays we are surrounded by sweet treats. Sugary snacks are delicious and can temporarily bring our spirits and our energy levels up, however the high is quickly followed by a tired, lethargic sometimes down feeling - the "sugar blues." We all know it can be hard to resist Grandma's amazing cookies or Auntie's incredible pumpkin pie - just be aware of overdoing it.

Breathe and enjoy the moment - take a deep breath and a set aside a moment to truly appreciate your family, friends and neighbors. This simple act will help keep you in balance.

Happy Holidays! Enjoy and be safe!

Image courtesy of jaxxon

Show All Comments Sort:
Kerrie La Guardia
ActiveRain, Community Manager - Kirkland, WA
Let it Rain!

It's hard to skip the delicious looking treats but not impossible.  I'm all about the little tastes and sugar free drinks lately.  Thanks for the insights and reminders Lauren!

Dec 19, 2011 06:36 AM
Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166
Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

 

Thanks for sharing these healty tips especially during the holidays when we then to over look those simple things.  Happy Holidays to you.

Dec 19, 2011 08:44 AM
Lauren Bernstein
ActiveRain - Seattle, WA

Kerrie - you are right about little tastes! It's part of enjoying the holidays!

Michele - Thanks and happy holidays to you too!

Dec 20, 2011 08:31 AM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA

I like that your list addresses things that lead to a healthy psyche. I know when I first started studying how to be healhty, most of the literature I read focused on what to eat and how much to eat and maybe the types of weights to lift but didn't address issues like reducing stress and being well balanced emotionally. 

Now I know that everything in ones body is connected. For example, if your stressed out, certain stress related hormones spike which signals to the rest of your body to go into conservation mode. In conservation mode your body decides to hold onto all of the fat that it can. 

 

Dec 20, 2011 09:29 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
Lauren, Happy Birthday! These are good tips all year..fill one plate and enjoy! Margaret
Dec 01, 2012 12:30 AM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Happy birthday Lauren!!  Hope you had a great day!  Best,  Kathy

Dec 02, 2012 09:30 AM
Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

 

Great tips.  Many of us gain almost 10 lbs during this time of the year.  Thank you and thank you for all of your hard work for Active Rain!

Dec 05, 2013 06:59 AM
Lauren Bernstein
ActiveRain - Seattle, WA

Thanks Tanya! Happy holidays!

Dec 05, 2013 07:50 AM