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The American Psychological Association says the hustle and bustle of the holidays has psychological consequences for some people. More people are inclined to feel that their stress increases around the holidays. The National Institute of Mental Health says chronic stress can lower immunity and cause excretory, digestive, and reproductive systems to stop working properly. Stress also may cause you to eat unhealthy snacks to cope which can lead to unwanted weight gain. Here some ideas to help you stay healthy this holiday season!
1) Plan ahead. Start your Christmas lists by Thanksgiving and start thinking about getting the decorations out.
2) Eat wisely. With all of the holiday parties we have, think about eating something small before heading out. This may help eliminate eating poorly if there aren’t many healthy options.
3) Get enough sleep!
4) Friendly workouts. Meet up for a run, a game of tennis or a yoga class with old friends that are in town for the holidays.
5) Bake your own. By baking your own desserts you can know what you’re really eating. Use options like Organic oatmeal, vegan pumpkin, wheat flour, etc…
6) Don’t snack before bed. With too many leftovers accumulating in the fridge it may be easy to snack at night. Eating right before bed is not good for your metabolism.
7) Get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine can protect you against various strains of the flu which will get you ready for the cold and flu season.
8) Control Your Drinking. Alcohol is an easy way to consume more calories than you need, so avoid mixed or fruity drinks and have a glass of water for every drink you consume.
9) Carry disinfecting wipes. Germs are everywhere, including most surfaces. Wipe down surfaces with disinfecting wipes and allow them to air dry before touching them.
10) Balance your activities. It can be tempting to overbook your schedule with a ton of activities, but this may ultimately prove stressful. Leave days open to relax and do things you want to do.
11) Keep up an exercise routine. Don’t stray too far from your exercise schedule. You may have to move workout times to free up other time later in the day for shopping or parties. Early morning is a good time to exercise because it gets you moving first thing in the day!
12) Talk to someone. If the holidays have you feeling anxious and stressed, talk to a friend or family member. If you need more professional support, find a social worker or psychologist that can help you work through stress and other feelings.
Happy Holidays from OrthoRI - Foundry division!!!
