Eight Ways to Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

Hustle & Bustle of the holiday season

Thanksgiving is in one week, Hanukkah is in 4 and a half weeks, and Christmas is in 5 short weeks. The holiday season is upon us, and while it can be a happy, joyous time, it can also be a stressful time of year. Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, break down our immune systems, making us more susceptible to illness. Follow these eight simple tips to stay on track and have a happy AND healthy holiday season.

  • Stick to your morning routine. The days leading up to the holidays are hectic. In addition to our already busy lives, there is shopping, baking, wrapping, holiday parties, and get-togethers, school events, work functions, and more. Before we know it, it is bedtime, and we don’t know where the day went. Our morning routines play an important part in our day. It sets the tone of the day ahead, allows us to control our schedules and prioritize our time. By keeping our morning routines, we start our day with a positive mindset, and the day seems less daunting.
  • DO NOT skip breakfast. Our cars can’t run on empty, and neither can our bodies. Start the day with a hearty, healthy breakfast to stay full longer. I find if I fuel my body correctly, I am more apt to skip the holiday goodies I see throughout the office. Or if I am out shopping, I will not fill up on fast food.
  • Do some form of exercise a day. For me, this is usually the first one that falls off my radar during the holiday season. I claim to have no time. Well, guess what, everyone has time for a 10 min walk, 10 mins of strength training, yoga, whatever it is you may like to do. Not only is it good for you, but it gives you more energy to plow through the day. I have committed to 30 mins a day of some form of exercise. Some days are easier than others, but damn does it feel good when I am done.
  • Choose your treats well. The average American gains weight between Halloween and New Years. This is not a free for all people! I am not telling you to give up your treats, but choose wisely. Pick the ones that you only have during the holidays. I can have chocolate chip cookies any time of year; however, I have a particular cookie I only make at Christmas time. This will be my treat of choice.
  • Pace Yourself. I love a good holiday cocktail or two, but I hate feeling so crappy the next day. To avoid being hungover, make sure to pace yourself throughout the evening. Have a club soda in between drinks. Do not drink on an empty stomach. You will be thankful you did.
  • Boost your immune system. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, get enough sleep, and oh, did I mention exercise? It will help keep you going through the craziness of the season.
  • Hydrate. Our bodies crave water. It keeps everything flowing throughout the body. It will keep you full in between meals and, as noted above, help avoid that hangover.
  • Take time to recharge. Don’t forget to take care of you. Whether it be a mani/pedi or 30 minutes locked away in a room with a good book, take the time. Not only do we need to be physically healthy but healthy mentally as well.

About The Author

Heather

58 COMMENTS

  1. Michelle | 25th Nov 19

    These are some great tips, and so easy to mismanage. I might have to make myself up a little reminder to make sure I am checking all the boxes every day.

  2. Charlene | 25th Nov 19

    Boosting your immune system is especially important this time of year! All those goodies sure make for an immune system crash!

  3. Jill | 25th Nov 19

    Thanks for these tips Heather..much needed!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      You’re very welcome. Thank you for stopping by.

  4. Angela | 25th Nov 19

    Good reminders during such a busy season – happy holidays!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Same to you. Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Lora Rovegna | 25th Nov 19

    Such great tips! I agree wholeheartedly about just having the treats you only eat this time of year. My problem is there are too many things I love to eat for the holidays. Exercise, exercise!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Exercise is key for my mood as well.

  6. Jody | 25th Nov 19

    You have made great points and there all so true. Good luck sticking wit schedules. It’s such a busy time of year.

  7. Tracy | 25th Nov 19

    Great tips! it’s so easy to forget any one of these during the holidays.

  8. Suzan | 25th Nov 19

    Love your suggestions. Moderation is key for me during the holidays. Why eat the cake when a taste will do…well, sometimes that works 🙂

  9. Lisa | 25th Nov 19

    I will choose my sweets carefully! Only the really good ones!

  10. Maria Gustafsson | 25th Nov 19

    I’m with Lisa, only the really good ones!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Yes, only the really good ones!

  11. Holly Bird | 25th Nov 19

    Great tips and advice..everyone needs to slow down a little and take care of themselves..and enjoy!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Self-care is vital, especially this time of year.

  12. Candice | 25th Nov 19

    Thanks for the tips! It seems like so many people are sick right now.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Hopefully, we can avoid catching something!

  13. Caitlin Westwood | 25th Nov 19

    These are such good reminders. So many people focus on how happy everyone usually is during the holidays that they go a little crazy and don’t practice any restraint (me included) and then I feel gross after. So this is a good thing to follow!

  14. Eva | 25th Nov 19

    I’m pinning this article. It’s too valuable not to share. I’m not sure if my favorite is your point about choosing treats wisely or the fact that everybody has ten minutes to do some type of exercise. Love, love, love this!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Aww.. thank you! I am glad you found it helpful.

  15. Katherine Wolfe | 25th Nov 19

    These are excellent suggestions, thank you! It’s so easy to lose our routines and common sense during the holidays. Thanks for the great reminders!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Thank you and happy holidays!

  16. Cynthia | 25th Nov 19

    Such great suggestions. I really appreciated the one about keeping your morning routine.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      I love my morning routine!

  17. Jen | 25th Nov 19

    Great tips to stay healthy!

  18. jen | 25th Nov 19

    Great tips and necessary…. thank you

  19. Lisa | 26th Nov 19

    Excellent reminders, with everyone so sick, we all need to slow down.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Thank you and 100% agree!

  20. Robin | 26th Nov 19

    What a great list! I love the part about staying active. Everyone has 10 mins a day they can put away for that 😉 Thanks for sharing!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Thanks for stopping by.

  21. Lisa | 26th Nov 19

    Great suggestions! I love the idea of pacing myself…it’s so easy to overdo it quickly.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Yes, it is very easy to do. Good luck!

  22. Malia | 26th Nov 19

    Great tips! I definitely have become more conscious of not overindulging on alcohol or treats as I’ve gotten older, and while it is tough in the moment, it definitely feels great the next day!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      It feels amazing the next day.

  23. Noelle Collins | 26th Nov 19

    Thanks for the ideas! I’m going to commit to exercise each day during the holiday season.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Please let me know how it goes!

  24. Christina Furnival | 26th Nov 19

    Great reminders of how to help stay healthy over the holiday season. Thanks!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Thank you for stopping by.

  25. Michele | 27th Nov 19

    Great suggestions that we all need to remember! During the holidays it is so easy to over do it and not take care of ourselves!

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Yes, it is so easy to do.

  26. Cindy | 28th Nov 19

    Great suggestions. It’s so important to stick with our health routines during the holidays.

    • Heather | 3rd Dec 19

      Yes, it keeps us healthy and give us the energy to get through the season.

  27. Jenna | 29th Nov 19

    Such great tips!

  28. Haley Kelley | 1st Dec 19

    I am definitely going to focus on this.

  29. Pauline | 2nd Dec 19

    Great list. It’s very easy to over indulge during the holidays. I have three holiday parties, and at work there seems to be an endless stream of treats in December from our community partners.

  30. Tricia Snow | 7th Dec 19

    These are great tips to stay healthy!! Thanks Heather!

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