This is why, over the years, people gain a lot of weight in this period. They end up spending a lot of time and money getting back to their normal shape. All that can be avoided by making slight adjustments to your lifestyle. How? Below are various life hacks for staying healthy during the holidays.
10 Tips to Stay Healthy This Festive Season
Staying fit and in good shape should be everyone's priority as we have fun during this season. If you are used to taking junk and other unhealthy foods, let this holiday be different by observing healthier habits. Use the following tips to keep yourself in check.1. Eat Healthily
The first step of healthy living is consuming nutritious meals. People cook different kinds of meals during this period, but the question is if the food brings any nutritional value to our bodies. This does not mean that you should not eat other foods that you like. If you decide to throw in some junk, ensure that the ratio of healthy foods to junk is higher. Remember to stay hydrated. Drinking a lot of water reduces cravings for unhealthy foods. We tend to feel hungry when dehydrated, and we end up consuming anything at our disposal. Don't forget to include fruits and vegetables as they have nutrients that help strengthen the immune system. Remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you skip it, you might end up overeating during the day. What you eat has a direct impact on your general well-being.2. Eat Regularly
After planning your nutritious and balanced meals, it is essential to break them down into smaller meals. This is because as we celebrate, we tend to cook lots of foods. Ensure that you have at least three meals a day. If possible, break them into smaller meals or include healthy snacks between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breaking down large meals into smaller ones helps keep blood and energy levels in check. Consuming lots of food at a go reduces productivity and makes one sleepy. Also, avoid consuming anything after dinner. Take the last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime. Doing this gives the body enough time to digest food reducing the chance of a digestive upset. Another advantage is that it minimizes the risk of gaining weight.3. Exercise
Exercising should not only be done during this season but also your regular working days. Working out daily increases productivity and lightens up your day. Participate in practices that you enjoy doing, for example, jogging, gym practices, swimming, among others.
The best time to exercise is in the morning because there are higher chances of getting distracted during the day and you may end up not doing it at night.
Exercising helps burn off excess fat you might have gained. To make this enjoyable, try out new activities or try finding new people to exercise with. Do exercises that your body is comfortable with. Straining the body in the morning makes you tired all day.
4. Maintain Good Hygiene
Ensure that your personal space is clean at all times to prevent you from falling ill. As we have fun with family and friends, don't forget basic hygiene practices. Wash hands regularly, maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing your teeth, flossing them, or using mouthwash and other practices you know of. In some regions, it is a cold season, and we should keep warm. Strive to keep your body warm by putting on the appropriate clothing. Chances of getting the flu are high; that's why I make sure to get a flu shot from doctors near me when it is appropriate. These small efforts keep you fit during this season.5. Plan Ahead
Planning reduces any work by half. Before you go having fun, ensure that you develop a working system to guide you through. Know when to do this and how you are going to do it. The importance of doing this is that it helps reduce stress. Most of us do not plan, and that's why we end up having challenges after the holidays. Decide what type of activities you will engage in and at what time. Do not just plan; ensure that you follow the strategies you have put in place.6. Avoid Stress
Avoiding stress is essential if you want to have healthy holidays. The main reason for having any holiday is to get your mind off work and have a good time. One helpful tip is, do not try to create the perfect holiday for your loved ones. Remember that this period is more about connecting on a personal level. You need to spend quality time and create good memories that you will remember. One of the best ways of dealing with this is planning. Even after doing this, some events might occur that stress you up; go for a walk, swim, or jog to reduce the pressure. Being stressed can ruin your health routine; that is why we advise you to get help. Share your problems with others, and they might help. A problem shared is half solved. Also, avoid getting into arguments with people. Learn other ways of relieving stress, such as doing yoga and meditation.7. Drink Responsibly
This tip is directed to the young people who have energy and enthusiasm as they seem to get carried away and party excessively. For those who drink to enjoy themselves or reduce stress, we urge you to drink responsibly.
Alcohol brings no value to your body and has harmful effects if used in excess, necessitating the need to minimize its consumption. Reduce alcohol intake by replacing heavy alcoholic drinks with, say, a light beer. Another way is to stay active to burn it off.
Do not drink and drive. If it's possible, avoid smoking altogether. Smoking brings a lot of complications and also affects nonsmokers. Small amounts of alcohol are enough to keep you going. Instead of going to parties, stay in, and connect with your friends.
8. Get Enough Sleep
Our bodies need time to recharge after a long day. Most of us tend to do fun activities during the day, and we find ourselves exhausted. Reward your body with a good night's sleep of about 7 to 8 hours. If you do not sleep enough, your body strains the following day.
Observe the following:
- Avoid caffeine at night. Caffeine deprives you of sleep. Do not consume any beverage with caffeine at least 4 hours before sleep.
- Doctors in the UK also recommend that you should avoid taking alcohol at night as it disrupts your sleeping routine.
- Get rid of phones, laptops, and other electronic devices that may cause distractions to your sleeping routine.
- Ensure that you also do not oversleep. Use your alarm clock to wake you up after about 8 hours of sleep. Oversleeping makes your body lousy and lowers your productivity rate.
10. Connect With Others
We are busy doing other things during the year, say going to work and school, and some end up spending time away from family and friends. Being distant from your loved ones might, at times, make you feel lonely, and this is the leading cause of depression.
If you are in a foreign country, book a flight back home. Research shows that talking and communicating with one another keeps the body active. You also find that your mind is occupied during these interactions reducing the urge to eat all the time.
Going out and having fun with others reduces stress and increases productivity. You can also decide to hang out with your workmates and get to understand them better. Doing this creates a healthy working relationship.
Leave a Comment