The holiday season is upon us. You’re planning a get-together with your family. Or you may be traveling to one yourself. Either way, the greatest gift you can give to yourself is good holiday health. It’s the gift that keeps on giving year-round. Follow these simple health tips below and you’ll be able to live a fulfilling life without worry.
The days can be merry and bright or they can be ‘blue’ like a certain song. It’s all up to you. If you choose to live healthy, take a look at the following tips below.
Make nutrition a priority
We get it. There’s all kinds of holiday treats that you want to indulge in. That’s OK, we might feel the same about that. However, good nutrition is nothing worth throwing away. Especially when it’s the holiday season. You want to make sure your diet consists of fruit, veggies, whole grains, and more. You should consider cutting out any sugary and unhealthy foods as well. Santa might know who’s been bad or good. A fruit cup – on the nice list. Ronald McDonald – on the naughty list.
Get the idea? Perfect. Let’s move on now to another holiday healthcare tip you should follow.
Exercise regularly
While nutrition is part of the battle, so is exercising regularly. You might be in an area where it may be too cold to go outside. That’s OK, you can still do your workouts inside. It’s recommended that you workout at least 150 minutes per week. That’s 30 minutes a day for five days a week. It can be walking or jogging on a treadmill, yoga, or spending time at your local gym.
Diet and exercise often do go hand-in-hand. It will all depend on your health and fitness goals now and going forward. Why wait until New Year’s to get started when you can do it now?
Get regular rest
The holidays are the busiest time of the year. So it’s good to at least get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. It can help reduce stress while also giving you the energy you need. Hopefully, you’ve done all your shopping at this point. You can use that energy to plan the holiday activities, whatever they may be. Yes, the holidays can be hectic.
But you can take them on with just enough consistent rest every night. You’ll be surprised how your energy levels will be compared to not getting a lot of sleep.
Keep hydrated
There was a time when the Christmas tree needed regular hydration. However, with the use of fake trees, that’s more water for you. That’s right, it’s important to stay hydrated every single day to help your body function properly. You should aim for at least 8 to 12 glasses of water daily. Each glass is about 8 ounces. So it should be enough to help keep you healthy.
If you truly want to get in on a really good challenge, drink water every day for the next 30 days. You may not have to start until New Years. But either way, you’d be surprised with the way water can help you out in terms of your health.
Learn how to manage stress accordingly
Stress can’t always be avoided. But it’s something that you can manage. The holiday season can get stressful for many reasons. Plans may go awry, you’re shopping until the last minute, and so on. It’s always a good idea to learn the best ways to manage your stress. This can include meditation or breathing exercises. It can take as long as five minutes when you’re starting out. When you do this on a regular basis, it will help you become more calm and centered. You will also be aware of what could be triggering your stress levels.
You’ll be able to identify it and be able to keep yourself in check. Keeping your stress unchecked can harm your health (mentally and physically). Don’t let stress drag you down this holiday season.
If the stress gets to be a little much, we do suggest this tip coming right up. It’s also a good idea to take advantage of it (without feeling the least bit ashamed).
Seek support if you need it most
Here’s the thing – we might manage stress in a negative way. We might take it out on someone who doesn’t deserve it. Others may rely on drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. This can lead you down a dark path that can lead to serious consequences. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. You can talk to a mental health professional if you need that kind of support.You can also talk to a trusted friend or family member as well. Either way, it’s OK not to be OK sometimes. It doesn’t matter if it’s the holiday season or not.
If you are not doing well physically, you may need to visit your doctor. If a medical emergency arises, you will need to dial 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency medical facility (if you are able to do so).
The holidays should never be a time of great suffering – physical or mental. You owe it to yourself to keep yourself healthy and spend time with your family. Support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining good health is important during the holidays and beyond. It’s always a good idea to keep focused on it every day throughout the year. Taking the best care of yourself will always be the gift that keeps on giving. You will also give yourself more time to enjoy the little things in life. You’ll have more time for yourself and your family. Plus, you’ll get to spend more holiday seasons with them.
The sooner you get started on maintaining good health, the better. Follow these tips above and you will put yourself well ahead. We hope this guide has been helpful for you.
