I want to thank Kat Sarmiento for writing this fantastic post on how to stay healthy during the holiday season. While we may be in 2022, people worldwide still celebrate after the fact. Please be respectful.

If you’re still celebrating the holidays, here are some tips for staying healthy during the holiday season.

Even though the holidays may be over, people celebrate with their loved ones worldwide. There are other holidays, such as Three Kings Day, which recently passed, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, for which people take time off.

The holidays are supposed to be a time that many people look forward to. It’s impossible not to feel excited about upcoming festivities full of delicious food, great company, and memorable moments. One caveat to this situation is that it can make it exceedingly easier to throw our usual diets and exercise regimens out the window. 

While sticking to a healthy lifestyle can be difficult this time of year, it’s no reason to cease giving your body the nutrients it needs. Here are a couple of helpful and effective self-care tips on how to stay healthy during the holiday season.

How To Stay Healthy During The Holiday Season

Choose and eat your food mindfully.

It’s not uncommon for families to have multiple dishes laid out on the dinner table during the holiday season. While indulging in delectable food and drinks can be tempting, you need to practice mindfulness and focus on what you splurge on. 

Survey the dinner table and choose one to two splurge-worthy dishes, such as roast turkey or pumpkin pie. Once you’ve chosen your favorites, balance your meal with small portions of healthy choices, such as cut vegetables or fruits. 

When you start to eat, pay attention to how the food tastes and how that makes you feel, e.g., complete, satisfied, hungry. Make it a point to experience your food like you’d experience a fun ride at a theme park. This will prevent you from mindlessly munching on the first thing you see. 

Distance yourself from all the food.

Physically distancing yourself from the buffet table can also help you control the amount of food you consume. According to experts, people are likelier to eat more of their favorite dishes when the food is right in front of them, at arm’s reach. 

Consider sitting in another room or at a different table. Make it more difficult for yourself to overindulge. 

Squeeze in a few minutes of physical activity.

There’s no reason you should stay idle during holiday festivities. Even simple exercises like walking around the block after dinner or playing a family game indoors can be a great way to get the heart pumping and improve digestion. 

Studies have shown that even short 10- to 15-minute spurts of exercise can have plenty of health benefits. Below are some great exercises you can do in under 15 minutes.

• Pilates
• Yoga
• HIIT
• Boxing
• Cardio
• A dance class

Try new and healthy recipes.

Sometimes, staying healthy during the holiday is more than controlling your portions.

Instead of making the same calorie-laden treats and pastries you usually do during these types of events, why not try more nutritious alternatives to stay healthy during the holiday season? You can find plenty of low-calorie holiday recipes and healthy dessert ideas online that are either free or reasonably priced. 

Stick to your typical schedule.

It’s normal for people to tweak their bedtime and morning routines during the holiday season. After all, how are you supposed to fit all the activities and gatherings your family and friends have planned into your schedule? 

Still, sticking to your typical routine is essential to your overall health. 

Think about it:

You experience daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and poor eating habits if you get insufficient sleep. Alternatively, if you mess up your morning routines, you might undermine your needs and health requirements, such as ensuring you get the right amount of exercise or me-time. 

Wash your hands regularly.

According to a 2008 study, germs and bacteria can live on the skin for up to five (5) minutes. That’s enough time for the virus to infiltrate your system and make you sick.

You don’t have to worry about just the flu virus, either. Plenty of germs and bacteria linger on the surfaces you touch, causing various illnesses, such as colds, itchy, sick skin, and COVID-19. 

To prevent the spread of germs, wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If you can, consider bringing disinfectant wipes or a small bottle of alcohol to clean your hands. 

Learn how to properly manage stress.

Although the holiday season is undoubtedly a time for celebration and festivities, it has its own challenges and frustrations. Since stress can increase the body’s production of cortisol, you must learn how to control and manage stress symptoms. 

If you feel particularly stressed about something, don’t exacerbate your feelings by pursuing the subject further without taking a breath. Instead, take a step back, relax, and come back once your mind is better positioned to handle the situation. 

Get vaccinated.

Vaccines are the most effective way to protect yourself from illness-causing germs and bacteria. Besides the flu vaccine, adults and children have a series of recommended vaccinations to stay healthy and illness-free. To learn more about what you should and shouldn’t get, consult your doctor or physician ASAP.

Final Thoughts

Our health and safety should be our primary focus, even during the holiday season. It’s important not to let ourselves get swept up by all the delicious food and drinks at dinner parties. Instead, be mindful of the food you eat during family gatherings. Furthermore, remember to fit in a good workout even during the busiest days. Even the simplest activity, such as walking or dancing, can help you burn many extra calories that you don’t need to stagnate in your body.

What do you think of these tips on how to stay healthy during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments.