Healthy Holidays Survival Guide
It can feel really hard to prioritize our health during the month of December. Between get togethers, dinners, parties, events, and then capping it all off with New Years...you are offered so many opportunities to enjoy good food and drink.
And I believe you should enjoy!
I don't want to be a “bah humbug” about indulging over the next few weeks. However, I also recognize how much the holidays can negatively impact our health. We often get run down due to increased stress and when we couple that with a lot of sugar, it is a recipe for a health crisis. Colds, flus, and other viruses can take advantage of a weakened immune system.
The easiest way to stay on top of your health is to have a game plan.
Tips for Staying on Track During the Holidays
Life is full of opportunities to celebrate and by no means am I suggesting you don’t enjoy. However, here are a few of my favourite hacks for staying as healthy as possible during the month of December.
Keep up with your supplements. A daily regimen of Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Life Long Vitality, and probiotics is the first step to offering your body what it needs to thrive.
Drink lots of water. Water helps flush your system and keeps you hydrated. Adding MetaPWR essential oil blend to your water helps to reduce cravings for sugar too. If you are choosing to imbibe in alcoholic drinks over the holidays, have a tall glass of water in-between those beverages to lessen the effects of the alcohol.
Get your steps in. The goal of 10,000 steps a day is great but walking around your home or office isn’t the best way to get up to that goal. Aim to get one hour worth of intentional walking in each day, even if it has to be broken up over two 30 minute walks or three 20 minute walks.
Speaking of walking, a 10-15 minute walk after meals helps to reduce blood sugar spikes.
Before going out to a party, eat a filling snack at home. A small plate of proteins and veggies is a great way to take the edge off and help reduce binge eating all the snacks at the get together.
Take a look over the food table at the parties and prioritize what you want to eat first. Eating vegetables, then proteins/fats, and lastly starches and treats will reduce your blood sugar spikes by up to 73%.
Choose your treats wisely. I love a good slice of cheesecake and so if that’s an option for dessert, I’ll fully enjoy it instead of mindlessly consuming other treats that don’t light me up.
Prioritize your sleep. Trying to aim for the same bedtime each night helps your body get into a routine. If not possible after a night out with friends, just get back into your schedule the following day. 7-9 hours of restful sleep is optimal and a bedtime of 10PM is ideal.
Remember it’s OK to say no. Sometimes we get so caught up in the rush of the holidays that we forget we don’t need to be at every event.
Let me know what you love the most about the holidays and if you have any advice to stay on track throughout the month.
For even more tips, download my Healthy Holidays Survival Guide below!