The holidays are an exciting time of the year brimming with festive activities, twinkling lights and the joyful sounds of holiday music. During this season, our focus can easily shift from staying healthy to scurrying around to meet holiday deadlines and to-do-lists. You may ignore allotted exercise time or watching what you eat during this busy season. Don’t let the holidays be an excuse to let your previous hard work fall to the wayside. Here are five simple ways to keep yourself and our family safe and healthy while still enjoying the magic of the holidays.
1.) Drive and Shop Responsibly
Gift giving is a large part of the holidays and a way to show gratitude for those we love. Holiday shopping can be fun or stressful during the holidays. It’s certainly fun to venture out to your favorite store to find treasures that will put a smile on your loved ones’ faces like a Pokeman plush toy, a new air purifier or the perfect pair of Ariat women’s cowboy boots. However, distractions can cause you to disregard your safety. Many shoppers speed on their way to the mall, especially during the holidays. Be sure not to multi-task while driving, paying extra attention to put your cell phone down and stay focused on the road. Even turning the radio channel or reaching back to a child in the car while driving can put yourself and those around you in danger.
2.) Keep Germs at Bay
During this time of year when the weather gets colder, people are more apt to get sick. With increases in shoppers, airport crowds and out of town guests, it’s imperative to keep your home clean and tidy. Guests can unintentionally leave nasty germs on the surfaces of your house that can quickly spread. Be sure to thoroughly clean your house between visits by using nontoxic solutions that won’t pose harm to your or your visitors. A little upfront effort will keep you healthy while enjoying the holidays.
3.) Find Time to Exercise
A lot of people are off school or take a vacation from work during the holidays, allowing a well-needed break from their daily responsibilities. However, this break can make it easy to slack off and avoid regular activities such as exercise. While spending with family and unwinding, you might feel that you don’t have to work out as much because you are relaxing. However, you do still need to work out for your health and well-being. You can forgo strenuous exercise and opt for yoga or Thai Chi or walking. Prioritizing your fitness routine will assure you enjoy the holidays without falling off the healthy living bandwagon.
4.) Count Calories
It’s can be challenging to show restraint during the holidays when cookies, pies, candy, and cakes are being offered to you at work, parties and family gatherings. It’s easy to make excuses and devour unhealthy sweets and empty calories on a whim. Many people expect to break their healthy habits during the holidays and it’s certainly fine to indulge here while being cognizant not to go overboard. Counting calories is a great way to stay on track. By having a maintenance plan upon entering the holiday season, you’ll be thrilled when the holidays are over and you didn’t stray far from your ideal weight. You’ll have peace of mind easing back into your regular routine of healthy eating without feeling the need to crash diet and put stress on your body.
5.) Drink Smarter
You might assume your drink choice doesn’t impact your weight or health because it’s just a beverage, but liquids can be hidden sources of sugar, artificial colors and flavors and chemicals. For example, sodas and juices can contain a plethora of sugar, making them just as bad as a decadent dessert. Drinks that contain caffeine can also be unhealthy and dehydrating, especially during the winter season. Fight the urge to splurge with healthy alternatives such as zero-calorie mineral water with natural lime or lemon. Try to limit your intake of excess sugar and caffeine and make an extra effort to stay hydrated with purified water.
The best kind of holiday is a safe and healthy one. The joy of the holidays can be temporary and have health consequences if you aren’t mindful of your choices. When the holidays end, you’ll be left to deal with the cheat days and poor food choices that were made. Being prudent to make a shift in your consciousness and remember that every cause has an effect will allow you to enjoy a safer and healthier holiday while inspiring those around you.
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