The holiday season comes with numerous social events (both planned and unplanned) and irresistibly indulgent food and drinks. It’s the best time of the year to catch up with friends, family, and loved ones at fun parties and gatherings. And though many exciting and fun events abound, it’s important to approach this season with a healthy amount of vigilance and care, especially when it comes to our overall health and wellness.
In this article, we tackle ways to help you stay healthy and maintain good eating habits while still enjoying fun activities during the holidays.
Self-care ideas for the holidays
Set realistic goals
Because of all the activities, you might find yourself not being able to stick to your usual exercise routine or not eating as healthily as you’d like, and that’s perfectly fine. What you should focus on is setting realistic goals during this period. For example, if you won’t be able to go to the gym regularly because of holiday events and plans, try to keep other healthy activities despite your busier-than-usual schedule, such as walking, biking, drinking plenty of water, and exercising at home.
Incorporate healthy food into your holiday meals
Holiday meals are known for their being decadent, satisfying, and filling. Add vegetables and fruits to your plate to ensure you get enough fiber, vitamins, and nutrients. If you’re going home or visiting family over the holidays and won’t be preparing most of the meals yourself, offer to bring one or two healthy dishes that you can share with everyone, such as a big bowl of salad, a vegetarian casserole, or a dish of roasted vegetables. A hearty and balanced plate should pair any of these dishes with your preferred protein sources and some carbs and fat.
Opt for portion control
Let’s face it — there are holiday food items that you can enjoy once a year, such as honey-glazed ham, pork roast, and eggnog pumpkin pie. The key to enjoying these wonderful holiday treats is portion control. By eating smaller portions of your favorite holiday foods, you’ll be able to satisfy your cravings without going overboard or resulting in a feeling of heaviness or fullness.
Eat mindfully
Mindful eating habits can help you stay nourished and maintain your health goals amid a spread of delicious holiday foods. Try to eat slowly and relish each bite. Listen to your body to determine whether you’re still hungry or you’re already full. By being more intentional with your eating habits, you’ll lessen your chances of eating mindlessly or eating out of boredom, which could, in turn, help you achieve your health goals more consistently and sustainably.
Help out
Not only will you get your movement in and burn calories by taking out the trash, washing dishes, and mopping the floor, but you’ll also help make the host’s life a bit easier. It’s also a great way to show gratitude and appreciation for a wonderful meal and the hard work that went into the beautiful holiday dinner.
Avoid drinking alcohol
Not only does drinking excessive amounts of alcohol lead to weight gain, it can also lead to accidents and fatalities. In 2022, 13,524 people died in drunk-driving accidents. To stay healthy and safe, it’s a great idea to stay off alcoholic beverages. To avoid drinking at parties, opt for non-alcoholic beverages such as mocktails, sparkling ciders, smoothies, and seltzers.
Be kind to yourself
It’s normal to see the weighing scale go up a bit after enjoying a holiday meal, but don’t beat yourself up about it. Remember that all your hard work of exercising and getting your steps in won’t disappear because you’ve enjoyed a hearty holiday meal. Don’t be afraid to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.
With these self-care tips, we hope that you can strike a balance between enjoying get-togethers and staying healthy. Happy holidays!
