It’s no surprise the holiday season can be a time of weight gain, sickness, and stress. What is supposed to be one of the most joyous times of the year can also feel like it is setting us up for those New Year’s resolutions of trying to be healthier. But what if you could start now, during the holidays? That’s right, no need to wait until January 1st to make positive changes to support your health. Here are some of my favorites. Try them all or choose a few to get started. It takes an adult three to four weeks to change a habit. Do these now and you’ll be more than ready for the new year!
Get Moving
That’s right, no more excuses! Thirty minutes a day of moving your body can not only increase mood but also help you lose weight in a healthy way. We all love sugary treats during the holiday season. The downside is they can spike our blood sugar, causing an increase in cravings, and then comes a blood sugar crash which can decrease our mood. By moving our body, our muscles can metabolize glucose from our blood stream that we have consumed. Eating sugar? Move your body!
Chose Foods at Holiday Outings Wisely
During the holidays we should absolutely be able to treat ourselves, but too much and we can feel sluggish, bloated, and cranky. When choosing foods to eat at holiday parties, stick to foods rich in protein to help stabilize blood sugar, and fiber rich foods. These will help to keep us feeling full and satiated. If you want to have a dessert or some empty carbs, make sure you’ve eaten your protein.
Limit Alcohol
I know, I know. This can be tricky with all those fun holiday parties. Alcohol can also put us on a blood sugar rollercoaster, causing more cravings or mindless snacking. It can also affect sleep quality, which many studies have shown to increase weight gain. If you’d like to indulge (and who am I to judge?), avoid consuming alcohol during parts of the week that aren’t a social outing. Stick to just a couple drinks at parties and aim for something not so sweet. For example, red wine, vodka, gin, or tequila based drinks with minimal juice or sweeteners.
Get Acupuncture
Studies have shown that acupuncture increased endorphins (opioid-like chemicals produced in the brain) which give us a sense of well-being, improve our sleep quality, and improve how the body responds to stress. The holidays are a busy time, but it’s also a time to take care of yourself so you can have fun and be with loved ones.
The holidays are time to enjoy one another’s company, enjoy food and drinks, and have fun. Try a couple of these tips to enjoy the holidays without New Year’s bring dread and anxiety over too-harsh health resolutions.
Have a wonderful holiday!
