How to Stay Healthy During Holiday Season
During holiday season it can be very difficult to stick to regular exercise schedule and healthy eating plan. It’s the most difficult time of the year maintain moderation, because we could be indulged with excessive quantity of baked goods and high-fat meals. An average person may gain one or two pounds during this occasion and most of them will never shed the extra pounds the gained. Over the years, this could lead to an unhealthy accumulation of weight.
It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid temptations during the exciting holiday season, but fortunately we could avoid unhealthy eating and uncontrolled weight gain preparing ourselves mentally. Here are steps we can take to get us started:
- Make a good plan: Before attending an event, it is a good idea to eat some high-protein snacks before we get there. Protein-based food could keep us fuller a bit longer than those high-energy, high-carbohydrate snacks. It would be much easier to make reasonable choices about what we are eating, when we are not starving. Event organizers should also take some time considering and choosing healthier and tasty alternatives to the standard holiday foods.
- Don’t drink high-calorie beverages. It is important do drink plenty of water, but liquid calories could contribute significantly to the overall weight gain. We can stay well hydrated by avoiding sour mixes, sweetened juice and cocktails. Instead, sip a glass of mineral water and fresh fruit juices without any additives.
- Don’t focus on the food: We should focus more on the holiday itself, not the food. This is the time when we gather with family members and friends to celebrate traditions and create memories. It’s a good idea to choose activities that don’t revolve too much on food. It’s better to stay active together such as ice-skating and throwing snowballs. Physical activities could be more memorable than spending much of the day eating and drinking.
- Stay away from emotional eating: Holiday season could bring with it some extra stress and it could be easier to turn to food for comfort. No matter how busy we are, it is important to take at least an hour for ourselves; read a book, meditate or go for walk.
- Get enough sleep: Intense social engagements during holiday season could stay up late and get less sleep. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation could contribute to weight gain, lower immunity and higher susceptibility to sickness.