When it comes to the holiday season, there is so much to love. It is a time for connecting and reconnecting with your family and loved ones, preparing, and indulging in large, elaborate meals and desserts, and engaging in fun, festive activities, such as cookie swaps, to truly get yourself into the holiday spirit.
With so many holiday activities and events just around the corner, you may be wondering how you can balance all the fun while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is important to remember that just because it is the holiday season does not mean that your health and wellness routine needs to be thrown out the window!
We have pulled together some tips on how you can stay as healthy as possible during the holidays.
Manage your stress.
First, make sure that you are prioritizing your mental health during the holiday season. With such busy schedules and so much going on, it can be very easy to become overwhelmed and extremely stressed.
If you are feeling like you are out of control, or your to-do list is building up, remember to take the time to give yourself a break and relax. To help manage any stress that you might be having, prioritize what you need to get done and get a head start on your tasks as early as possible.
Bundle up.
All New Englanders know exactly what is around the corner when it comes to the weather. Remember as the months get chillier and as we begin to see more and more snow that you bundle up when going outdoors so that you can stay dry and warm.
Appropriate outdoor clothing to wear during the winter months includes layers such as sweaters or sweatshirts underneath your coats, hats, scarves, gloves, as well as waterproof or lined boots. You want to do your best to avoid getting any chest colds during the holiday season and bundling up is a great way to do that!
Stay hydrated.
When the weather gets cold, your body loses moisture, however since you will not be sweating, it may be hard to tell whether you need to hydrate. Staying hydrated is important for so many reasons, but in the winter specifically, especially if you are spending a lot of time outdoors, it is vital that you stay hydrated to avoid getting sick, or even getting hypothermia.
In addition to preventing any sicknesses, it is important to stay hydrated to prevent any infections, regulate your body temperature throughout the day, and keep your body functioning properly!
Wash your hands and your electronics.
It is flu season! In addition to getting your flu shot ahead of the holidays, remember to always wash your hands, whether you are at home or in a public place! When washing your hands, remember to use soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds so that you know you are getting at any and all germs and bacteria that have built up over time.
On top of washing your hands, remember to consistently wash any electronic devices that you have with you regularly, especially your smartphone. Our phones are one of the dirtiest objects that we use each and every day, and studies have shown that they can even carry more bacteria than a toilet seat!
Keep antibacterial wipes on you or consider purchasing a UV light phone sanitizer to clean your phone when you get home from a day or night out.
Stay active and eat mindfully.
Lastly, remember to stay active! Keep your body moving for at least 30 minutes every day, which will not only help you stay healthy physically but mentally as well. You will be attending events and parties filled with tons of delicious food and drink but remember to ensure that you are also getting in foods that are filled with healthy nutrients!