Many of us look forward to the holidays as a time to celebrate and spend time with friends and family. But the rush of the season can also cause stress and lead us to neglect our health and overall wellbeing. Take care of yourself with these holiday wellness tips so you can feel your best and truly appreciate this wonderful time of the year.
- Start early. Whether you dread the coming season or can’t wait for it, don’t put off your holiday planning, shopping, decorating and gift-wrapping. Getting these tasks done now will reduce stress and give you more time to enjoy the holidays.
- Eat before you go. Have a light, nutritious meal before any parties or other holiday events where food will be served. This will help you taste what others have prepared without overdoing it.
- Choose your treats. It’s perfectly fine to indulge a bit in all of the rich and delicious holiday foods that appear on the table this time of year but make your choices wisely. Savor small portions of the dishes and desserts that you really want and skip the rest.
- Fit in a workout. It’s very easy to let your fitness routine lapse during the busy holiday season. Find as many opportunities as you can to stay active and exercise whenever possible, even if it’s just for 15 minutes at home.
- Let others help. Take friends and family up on their offers to clean up, run errands or bring something with them. It removes some of the burden we often feel during the holidays and helps bring your loved ones closer together.
- Take time for yourself. Many of us feel pulled in too many directions this time of year. Be sure to find some quiet time to relax and do the activities that you enjoy.
- Don’t overdo it. Consider scaling back your plans this year so you can focus on completing tasks with joy and appreciation. Remember that the holidays should be about feeling thankful and spending quality time with friends and family.
Kevin Arnold
Kevin Arnold writes about health, wellness and travel. For more tips and information, check out all of his posts at www.pureroom.com/blog.