10 Tips to stay healthy through the holidays

10 Tips to stay healthy through the holidays

The holiday season can be the most joyful time of the year, but unfortunately, it can also be the most chaotic time of year.  More gatherings on your calendar, more money spent, more delicious food, and possibly even more traveling can bring on more mental and physical stress.  Don’t let the holiday season sabotage your health!  In addition to maintaining a balanced spine and nervous system, follow these tips to stay healthy through the holidays.

1. First of all, don’t try to lose weight over the holidays.  Instead, try to maintain your current weight.  This is a realistic goal.
2. Plan and prepare.  Look ahead on your calendar and maintain your healthy meal plan as much as possible.  Since you’re typically busier over the holiday season, it may help to prepare and freeze some healthy meals ahead of time.
3. Enjoy the holiday season with activities that aren’t focused on food.  Try crafting, playing games, visiting holiday décor displays, or volunteering.  At parties and gatherings, take pleasure in the company and conversation.
4. Survey the restaurant menu or party buffet before choosing your meal or filling your plate.  Choose the “less bad” options if they are available.  Less bad = less processed, less sugary, gluten-free, and/or dairy-free.
5. Eat slowly, savoring each small bite, until you’re satisfied, not stuffed.
6. Limit your intake of alcohol and other high-calorie drinks.
7. Don’t skip meals and “save up” calories.  Don’t tell yourself “I’m not going to eat all day because there’s going to be so much good food at that party tonight.”  Instead, maintain your healthy meals throughout the day.  You can even have a small healthy snack, like vegetables and protein, before leaving for the party.  This will curb your appetite, and you’ll be less likely to over-indulge later.
8. Allow yourself to indulge (but don’t over-indulge or binge).  View the indulgence as a random “treat” instead of a “cheat” or “reward.”  Choose your absolute favorites so the “treat” feels worth it.  Make sure it’s something that you really love—something that’s incredibly delicious, special, or significant.  Then, don’t feel guilty about “treating” yourself.  Let it go, and make healthy choices the rest of the time.
9. Maintain your other healthy habits like exercising, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and taking your whole-food supplements.
10. Lastly, and probably most importantly, focus on finding your own balance that works for you.  Enjoy yourself, but also stick to your healthy habits as much as possible.

We understand this is all easier said than done.  Don’t beat yourself up if you indulge a little more than planned.  Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed.  You can always make an extra effort after the holidays to get back on track.  If you gain a few pounds over the holidays, that extra effort to get back on track will help prevent those few pounds adding up year after year. We can help you get your health back on track after the holidays with our Detox and Reset challenge. Grab our Purification Prep Guide to help you plan and prepare your mind, body, and kitchen for post-holiday detox success!

You may also be interested in learning why you need to detox or learning how to detox the right way.

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