The holiday season is a much-anticipated period to spend with family and relax; however, it can completely throw you off track on your wellness routine!
From rushing around airports to waiting hours in traffic, the angst of the holiday season can often result in a holiday burnout. It’s harder to stay mentally and physically healthy in a season of high pressure. But with these five tips, you’ll be sure to stay healthy during the holiday season.
Put Mindful Eating into Practice
It’s easy to fall into a pattern of stress-eating over the holiday season. Studies even show that with more stress, there is also an increase in cravings for high fat and sugar-filled foods, in addition to a spike in hunger. Instead, experts recommend mindful eating (which doesn’t mean avoiding the delicious and indulgent holiday treats), bringing more awareness to what you’re eating during the holidays.
Another way to practice mindful eating includes boosting the nutritional value of what you’re eating, like adding a portion of fruits or veggies to the serving. It’s an easy way to get the best of both worlds.
The takeaway: avoid mindlessly eating and enjoy food while boosting the nutritional profile when you can!
Stay Moving
The holiday season is for relaxation, so instead of high-impact classes every day, find daily movement that you enjoy! Not to mention the benefits of incorporating exercise into your routine for that endorphin boost or “happiness” feeling in the body.
Some simple exercise examples can be a brisk walk around the neighborhood with family or a gentle yoga class to stretch out tense muscles.
Don’t Lose Sight of What Counts: Mindful Thinking
Whether you find yourself in a family argument or waiting in endless lines, try to think of the situation from a larger perspective. Some questions to consider before starting a dispute or disagreement:
- Even though this moment is stressful, how can I make it pleasant?
- Can I use this moment of frustration as an opportunity to reflect?
Yes, these situations can be taxing, but don’t let a small moment of frustration ruin the day or the family event. The best way to anticipate these situations is to know what might trigger you during a stressful situation.
Prioritize a Sleep Schedule
One of the first things to go during the holiday season is a sleep schedule. When holiday parties with friends and family mix with alcohol and less nutritious foods, this also makes sleeping difficult. When you’re tired, you’re more than likely to get triggered more easily with family as well. It is also proven that sleep depreciation includes difficulty concentrating, memory problems, mood swings, and low energy levels.
Experts say that prioritizing sleep around this season can help boost your mood and boost your immune system. So if you have obligations for three nights in a row, pick one night to catch up on your sleep!
Make a Wellness-Inspired New Years Resolutions
The stress behind New Year’s Resolutions may leave you feeling uninspired to follow through with your resolutions. Instead, many people find themselves overwhelmed and compare their wellness journey to those around them.
The key is to make resolutions that are realistic to your lifestyle. If you want to live a more wellness-forward lifestyle, try setting small goals to meditate or go to yoga class a few times a week. Start with small goals each week that build up to an overarching resolution.
Find your own wellness path with FIT by signing up for a fitness membership or health consultation with one of our world-class personal trainers.
Your Wellness Journey at FIT
Staying healthy during the holidays is easy at FIT. From scheduling in yoga or meditation class, to unwinding in our premium saunas and steam rooms, it’s time to redefine your life with FIT. Join today and experience the award-winning personal training, group fitness, amenities, and more!
