Maintain your healthy habits over Christmas without becoming a Scrooge!
The month where every weekend is a party and every break time involves a slice of pie or many other desserts. The holidays bring food and festivities that likely do not fit into the healthy habits you committed to throughout the year. Trying to focus on keeping healthy habits, exercise, rest, or making time for yourself while attending numerous holiday events or activities can be overwhelming.
It can be tempting to give up your routine of eating healthy and exercising with the coming year, however the most important part of a habit is keeping it. Why not just enjoy this time with family and friends, even if that means overindulging temporarily? It is the one month of the year where you can really allow yourself to let loose and instead of beating yourself up.
Here are some simple ways to stay fit and maintain healthy habits during the holidays.
Partake (in moderation)
It happens to all of us. The most dedicated athlete, gymer, and nutritionists will miss a workout session for attending a holiday event or indulging on eating delicious food or the smell of homemade desserts.
One way to lessen your guilt is to keep your regular routine as much as possible. When you do not have the time or energy to go to the gym, at least try to do a quick 20-minute home workout. If you have leftovers you can still eat healthy by add fresh fruits and veggies into your daily meals. Doing this will help you feel semi-normal and less inclined to feel guilty about those extra few slices of pie.
Do not feel bad when you fall of course. If you missed a day or two not working out it is all not lost. Although you may feel discouraged after eating an extra serving of pie, etc. the most important thing is maintaining the habit of your self-care practices. It is ok for them to be different.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to stick to your habits through the holidays and how to incorporate them. Of course, it is not easy to find the time to work out or the will power to give up a second serving of food when you are at holiday event.
If your routine is normally going to the gym after work, but have to attend an office holiday event to attend at that same time, plan for an extended gym session the day before, or a quick 20 minute workout during your lunch break. Sometimes the food that is served at event does not align with your eating habits, snack beforehand or have a small meal. You still want to taste or eat at event but you will not over indulge because you will be semi full.
Planning ahead means you do not have to worry about what will happen, allowing you to enjoy your time without worrying about what you “should” be doing.
Abundance & Gratitude
From presents to baked goods, the holidays can be filled with abundance. Gratitude is a must do when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Gratitude, even during the holidays, since our life becomes a fast paced during this season and we often forget what is important. It is all about perspective and this season is perfect for it.
During this holiday, we should be taking at least 5 minutes to practice gratitude, be present, and enjoy the little moments. If we do not slow down, how are we going to enjoy the little things this season brings?
Give thanks for everything you have. This holiday season, find gratitude for the many traditions that come around each year. You had many achievements this year? Be grateful for them. Remember, there is no big or small stuff to be grateful for, just practice gratitude.
Appreciate all the food, friends, family, and gifts in your life. Embrace each moment in whatever you participate in, rather than simply going through the motions.
Take Care of You
For your mental well-being, the holiday season is the ideal time to take a break, catch up on sleep and release tension. While you focus on healthy habits and exercise during the holidays, make sure you do not forget self-care practices. Get enough sleep. Your body needs sleep so try to make sure late nights aren’t followed by early mornings whenever possible! Get as much sleep as your body needs to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Rest if your body needs it. As well as nighttime sleep, do rest if you need to during the day. Read a book or watch a film snuggled up under a blanket or take a nap so you can wake up feeling refreshed! Maintain regular mealtimes. Eat regularly, little and often if that is what your body responds best to but do not forget to eat or miss too many meals. It is important habits that will keep you healthy and energized throughout the season.
Remember, to create a healthy lifestyle you must care for both your body and mind.
To avoid feeling burnout, find time to take care of you. Schedule some uninterrupted “me time” each day for anything that will make your soul happy such as getting a massage, taking a nap, yoga, watch a TV show, etc.
In Essence
Put the focus on friends, family, and fun, instead of food.
During this season it can be chaotic but if we stick to a few simple strategies, but you can keep your healthy habits during this time. Do not forget to schedule your self-care practices daily and taking care of you.
Enjoy yourself with friends and family prioritize your mind and cherish these special moments. Once you are ready to get back on track, January is the perfect time to set new goals for the new year!