Healthy Holidays- Choose Your Balance
For those of us past the age of staying up for Santa Claus, our to-do lists can feel longer than his list of names (and we definitely check ours more than twice). Between work and friends and family festivities, it’s no surprise we often find our health—both physical and mental—left waiting in the wings until New Year’s Day. Here are a few suggestions to find a balance of staying healthy while enjoying the holidays.
Indulge with Intention:
It’s a delicate balance. We are used to this all or nothing mindset, and the Holidays sets us up for the former or a miserable latter. The alternative is to indulge intentionally. Make a list of indulgences that you really love (the ones that matter most to you) and build them into your holiday season plans… then follow the plan. If you build it in and you know it’s there and that you’re allowed to have it, then you will be less likely to struggle through all the other temptations. Try to choose the indulgence in their best form so that you will be satisfied with a little of the perfect indulgence.
Eat and Drink before you Eat and Drink
Before your next holiday event, take a moment to munch on foods your heart will love. Eat quick and healthy snacks like veggies and hummus or a small salad before you leave home. Set a reminder on your phone to drink a glass of water when you arrive. If you plan on drinking alcohol, make sure you have a glass of water between a drink( which should not be more than 2-3 servings anyway).
Once there, remember these simple rules
-eat slowly and mindfully.
-use smaller plates
-wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds.
Make movement Merry
The Holidays don’t need to be a time to send exercise out the window, be flexible with your exercise instead. Most of us won’t have time to go to a gym during the busy holiday seasons. Between guests and traveling that would be difficult. You can however, quickly and easily throw on your sneakers and go for a quick walk (will help clear the mind or create some memories with your family and friends). It is easy to do some body weight exercises or stretches for 5-10 mins anytime you find a little down time. Exercise doesn’t have to be a lot of time, it just has to be consistent over time.
Make time for Mindfulness
Start with Gratitude. When you wake up morning, say or write down something you are grateful for. Everyday is a blessing and will have some joy in it. We just have to remember to look for it and appreciate it. Find the joy and be grateful for even the little things. Enjoy the quiet time first thing in the morning. Or really pay attention to that first cup of coffee, or the quietness of the sunrise or sunset.
Focus on your values. Values are things you’ve decided are personally important to you, how you want to live your life and how you want to be remembered. You can only decide to move with or against them. Pick three of your top values and ask yourself what you can do to move toward them each day. Look for opportunities during the busy holiday season to choose to move with them.
Indulge in your favorite flavors, nourish your body, find joy in movement, seek pleasure in small moments and remember that a little balance is all it takes to have happy, healthy holidays.