1. How to Remain Healthy During the Holidays

6 KEYS TO STAYING HEALTHY

The holidays are a time of celebration, connection, and joy. But let’s be honest—they can also be a season of overindulgence, stress, and disrupted routines. While it’s important to enjoy yourself, maintaining your health during the holidays doesn’t have to be an afterthought. In this first installment of our holiday health series, we’ll share simple strategies to help you feel your best and fully enjoy the festive season.

1. Prioritize Movement
Amid all the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to put exercise on the back burner. However, staying active is one of the best ways to keep your energy levels high and your stress levels low. You don’t need to stick to a rigid routine; even short bursts of movement can make a difference.

• Try this: Take a brisk walk after meals to aid digestion and clear your mind. If you’re short on time, consider a quick 15-minute bodyweight workout at home.

• Family fun: Incorporate physical activities into your holiday traditions. Think ice skating, a family yoga session, or a friendly game of flag football.

2. Mindful Consumption
Food is often the centerpiece of holiday gatherings, and indulging in your favorite dishes is part of the fun. That said, mindful eating can help you enjoy every bite without overdoing it.

• Plan ahead: If you know a heavy meal is coming, balance it with lighter options earlier in the day.

• Portion control: Use a smaller plate to naturally limit portions, and try filling half of it with vegetables.

• Savor the flavors: Slow down and truly taste your food. You’ll feel more satisfied and less likely to reach for seconds out of habit.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Dehydration is common during the holidays, especially with the increased consumption of alcoholic beverages, coffee, and sugary drinks. Staying hydrated supports your metabolism, helps you feel more alert, and can even curb overeating.

• Start your day with water: Aim to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.

• Alternate beverages: If you’re drinking alcohol, have a glass of water between each drink.

• Make it festive: Add slices of citrus fruits, fresh mint, or cranberries to your water for a seasonal twist.

4. Manage Stress Effectively
The holidays can be as stressful as they are joyful. From last-minute shopping to navigating family dynamics, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Incorporating stress-management techniques can help you stay grounded.

• Set boundaries: Politely decline activities that don’t serve your well-being or schedule.

• Practice gratitude: Take a few moments each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for.

• Deep breathing: Use simple breathing exercises to calm your mind during hectic moments. Try inhaling for four counts, holding for four counts, and exhaling for six counts.

5. Embrace the Sun
The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, which is essential for bone and teeth health, immune system function, brain health, and regulating inflammation. Adequate sunlight exposure can strengthen your immune system, helping you fight off infections and diseases more effectively during the colder months.

• Get outside: Spend 15-20 minutes in the sun daily when possible.

• Boost your immunity: Sunlight exposure encourages your body to produce more vitamin D, giving your immune system a much-needed boost.

6. Stay Vigilant
The holidays often involve close contact with others, increasing the risk of spreading viruses like the flu, COVID-19, or RSV. Taking preventive measures can help protect you and your loved ones.

• Stay informed: Encourage family members to test for COVID-19 or other illnesses if they feel unwell.

• If you’re sick: Stay home or wear a mask to avoid spreading illness to others.

• Avoid sick people when possible: Steer clear of anyone showing outward symptoms of illness (coughing, sneezing) or of people that say “I’ve been ill”.

• Travel smart: Wear masks while traveling on trains, planes, and buses. These enclosed environments increase exposure risk.

Final Thoughts:
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean missing out on the magic of the holidays. It’s about creating a balance that allows you to feel good while celebrating with loved ones. By prioritizing movement, mindful consumption, hydration, stress management, sunlight exposure, and communicable disease prevention, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy this festive season in good health.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll dive deeper into strategies to keep your immune system strong and your energy levels up throughout the holiday season.

Let’s make this holiday season your healthiest yet!