How to stay sane & healthy throughout the Holidays…
Ah, the holidays—a magical time of twinkling lights, endless eating, drinking and parties. It’s all fun and games until you realize your stretchy pants are now your only pants that fit. But don’t worry! I’ve shared my favorite tips for staying on track, favorite Holiday drink recipe and Wellness gifts to help you sleigh this season while keeping your health, fitness, and sanity intact. Let’s light up the season—eight nights and beyond—feeling fabulous!
4 Tips for Staying on Track…
Prioritize Your Workouts
Staying active is key to managing stress and maintaining energy.
Schedule Workouts in Advance…treat them like appointments, and mark them on your calendar at the beginning of the week.
Incorporate Mini Workouts: Even 10-15 minutes of movement counts, whether it’s a quick home workout or hitting your 10,000+ steps per day go a long way.
Take a 10 minute walk after the biggest meal of the day.
Be Realistic: Set manageable goals that work with your holiday plans. If you usually work out for an hour, aim for 30 minutes if time is tight.
Manage Holiday Stress Levels
The holiday rush can feel overwhelming, so taking care of your mental health is essential.
Practice Deep Breathing: Simple deep-breathing exercises can reduce stress and bring you back to the present moment. Try inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 6, and exhaling for 8. This breath count will calm your Central Nervous System, so keep performing this until you feel a sense of calm come over you.
Set Boundaries: It’s okay to say “no” to events or activities that feel overwhelming. Ask yourself, “Do I really want to do this? Or do I feel obligated?’
Prioritize Self-Care: Schedule some "me-time" each week for activities that recharge you, like a warm epsom salt bath, reading a book, or taking a walk outside.
How to Eat Well at Holiday Gatherings
Holiday parties are a time for indulgence, but these tips can help you stay balanced:
Eat a Protein-Packed Snack Before You Go: Starting with a healthy snack helps curb hunger and makes it easier to make mindful choices.
Focus on Filling, Nutritious Options First: Fill your plate with lean proteins first, then go back for veggies, and salads. These options keep you satisfied and make it less tempting to overindulge.
Savor Your Treats: Once you have filled up on protein and veggies, go ahead and enjoy a small portion of your favorite holiday treats mindfully and savor every bite.
Healthier Holiday Drink Ideas
Holiday beverages can be loaded with sugar, so here are some tips for lighter options and ways to beat a hangover:
Stick with straight alcohol, either neat, on the rocks, or with club soda. It will have the least amount of calories and sugar. (Check out my Holiday Tequila Spritz below…)
Drink water before and in between each drink to ensure you don’t over consume or have a hangover the next day. I love Zbiotics, a probiotic drink you take before you go out drinking, and when I get home I have a packet of electrolytes before bed. You will wake up feeling more alert and hangover free!
Aim to stop drinking alcohol 3 hours before bed so it doesn’t disrupt your sleep.
With these tips in mind, I hope you can enjoy every part of the holiday season while staying healthy, balanced, and stress-free. As always, I’m here to support you, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any extra motivation or ideas!