How To Stay Healthy During The Holiday Season

As we approach the end of this 2020 holiday season, whether it’s

• Thanksgiving,
• Diwali,
• Hanukkah,
• Saint Nicholas Day,
• Christmas or any other holiday…

…religious or not…

…if you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the holidays can be a real setback.

Not to mention the spike in cases of Covid-19 which have been attributed to family gatherings.

Watching your diet is next to impossible with so many holiday feasts to tempt you.

Germs are hard to avoid on a train or plane ride to visit relatives, although travel companies are taking steps to sanitize spaces.

And, if traveling doesn’t make you sick, a little too much eggnog just might.

Follow this advice to keep yourself feeling happy and healthy (and safe) this holiday season.

• Whether you’re hosting the family festivities or simply attending, keep yourself focused more on fun traditions and activities and less on dinner and dessert.
• Go light on the gravy. Using less sauce or gravy on your foods should lead to a healthier meal.
• Don’t underestimate a healthy breakfast. A good breakfast can keep you from feeling hungry later in the day and resorting to less-than-healthy treats.
• Avoid holiday stress. Stress makes you feel anxious and irritable, and even has a negative impact on your immune system.
• Plan fun family activities that get you moving. Sledding or ice skating are both fitness-friendly options.
• If you plan to travel using mass transit, carry sanitary wipes with you and wipe down surfaces in your area. Make sure you get the armrests, tray table and seat belt buckle.
• Keep yourself active, even if you’re travelling. If you have to wait for your flight to be ready to board, walk around the airport terminal rather than sitting to wait.
• Chew gum after eating a meal to help resist the urge for after-dinner snacks.
• If you’ll be staying in a hotel this holiday season, try to find one with a pool or fitness center. This will give you a place to get active in between family functions.
• Drink plenty of water. It’s easy to forget to stay hydrated during a busy holiday season, especially if it gets cold where you live.
• Instead of candy, encourage your family to eat fruits like apples and oranges. They’re a healthier way to satisfy cravings for sweets.
• If you’re going to be drinking wine or eggnog, make sure you know your limits. A Christmas morning hangover can be devastating, especially if you’re going to be around excited kids who want to open presents.
• For every alcoholic beverage you drink, try to also drink a glass of water. This will leave you feeling hydrated and hangover free the next morning.
• Consider using a fitness app on your smartphone to set fitness goals and keep track of how much exercise you get over the holidays.
• Finally, to quote Larry Hogan, governor of Maryland: “Wear the damn mask!”

Also bear in mind any other restrictions, considerations and assumptions related to family gatherings.

When all is said and done it’s important to remember not to get down on yourself in the event you “slip up” during the holiday season.

After all, it’s typically the time to spend with family and friends enjoying yourself.

You can always get back on track after the holiday is over. That’s what the new year is for, or so the experts say. If it makes you feel better, you can even try to be a bit more health-conscious in January and February. Things usually have a way of evening out!

Image by Kevin Petit from Pixabay