The holidays can be a quite busy time of the year. It is mostly filled with cocktail parties, family gatherings, and night outs with friends. But if your schedule is more full than the normal days, that does not mean that you will have to bid goodbye to a healthy lifestyle.

Why Holiday Seasons Are So Special?

You normally tend to eat and prepare large elaborate meals and desserts during the holiday season. You also like to mingle with the holiday crowds, spend time with friends and loved ones. These are the reasons why the holiday seasons can be so enjoyable. However, for these same reasons, the holiday seasons can also come in the way of your health.

Staying healthy during the holiday season is all the more important. If you make a little effort and plan out properly, you will certainly be able to avoid the pitfalls related to health. If you want to stay healthy during the holidays, you can go through the discussion given below:

1. Make Sure Not to Indulge too Much in Special Days

No one gains weight by eating a substantial amount of food on new year’s eve or thanksgiving day. The issue is that what once used to be a special day has now become everyday holiday festivities. If a coworker has brought some homemade ginger cookies, does not mean that you will have to eat them. Make sure that you keep the splurge events to specific times. Just stick to a healthy meal. This is because you will try to do damage control with the waistline and those events will start appearing to be all the more attractive to you.

2. Drink Plenty of Water

You need to stay hydrated even in the cool winter months. It is highly recommended that you drink plenty of water in place of soda, juice, alcohol, etc. Water will prevent you from getting dehydrated and thereby ensure that you are fit and healthy.

3. Limit the Consumption of Alcohol

If you drink too much then that tends to make you prone to bad decisions of eating. Researches show that consuming alcohol in a higher amount can harm your immune system. Even sugar does the same thing. Instead of drinking alcohol, it is a good idea to sip some mineral water or club soda along with lime. This is a refreshing drink that will help you to stay hydrated.

4. Delegate The Responsibilities to Others

If you are juggling your work, buying gifts, and doing a lot of tasks on a holiday, that might mean that you are taking up more tasks than you can handle. The best option here is to ask for help. You can ask for some help from your children as well. You can prepare the food and then hire an assistant for the holidays. It is also a good option to involve your better half to wrap the gifts. Another way to celebrate without over-burdening yourself is pot luck. This is because here everyone would be carrying one food item and it would not pressurize one person.

5. Make Sure That You Follow a Good Exercise Routine

If you maintain a good level of physical activity during a busy holiday season, then it will certainly help you to fight illness and deal with stress and anxiety. This does not mean that you will have to jog for ten miles or try your hands at deadlifting, even a brisk walk will help you to develop the immune system. It will release important chemicals like endorphins.

If you create an exercise and stick to it, you will be able to exercise regularly. You can also invite your friends and cousins to exercise with you. This will motivate you all the more.

6. Regulating the Stress Is Essential

It is quite obvious that there will be some kind of stress during the holiday season. You will have to plan parties and arrange for gifts. You will also have to meet relatives. You might also have to make travel plans. All of these might overtax your body. So, during this time you can also participate in certain stress-relieving exercises. Certain medical conditions might get increased due to stress. Therefore, it is a good idea to keep your life calm and orderly. This will certainly improve your health in the long run.

7. Work to Combat Negative Feelings

Though working with your family and children during the holidays can be stressful, you might have to do it. But make sure that this does not bring in negative thoughts within you. If you find that this is bringing in negative thoughts and building tension, then do practice activities that will bring in positive thinking. If you fight with your family regarding politics and see there is a buildup of resentment, then try to make a list of the positive things that you admire in each of the family members.

8. Make Sure That You Follow a Healthy Diet

Food that you normally eat during the holidays is no doubt delicious but they are unhealthy at the same time. Watch out for your carbohydrate intake. Some people tend to drink too much alcohol during the holiday season. These might result in the flaring up of illnesses. Make sure that you do keep a note of the restrictions in your diet along with the allergies. Also, make sure that you let your hosts and guests know what you can eat and what you cannot eat. Following a healthy diet is important.

9. Make Sure That You Schedule Your Downtime

In most cases, you will find that the holiday season is high-strung. A too packed holiday schedule might make you think that your life is on a fast forward mode. Therefore, make sure that you practice meditation, recreation, and downtime. These will help you to stay calm in between all the different activities. Schedule your activities properly. If you are dealing with health issues, make sure that you let your family and friends know about the days on which you will not be available.

Summary

Enjoy your holidays. But make sure that you follow a proper schedule that will help you to stay fit and healthy. Do not overindulge.