How to Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season

Santa working out

The holidays are a great way to spend time celebrating with your family and friends, however, these plans may interrupt your regular routine. With your busy schedule, sweet treats and gloomy weather it may be hard to feel healthy during the holiday season. Here are a few tips to keep your body feeling its best.

Reinvent your Workout Routine

It may be hard to find time to spend at the gym due to long to-do lists and your social calendar. Instead of your regular routine, go on several short walks throughout your day, stretch or accomplish quick at-home workout videos. You will still be able to stay motivated by splitting your workouts into manageable time intervals. Moving your body some, is still better than not at all.

Stay Hydrated

Water is the most important thing our body needs. We need it in order to maintain a healthy bodily ratio, maintain our cells’ fluids and deliver nutrients. Drinking water as much as possible throughout the day is key to staying healthy. Try to limit drinks that are high in calories such as eggnog, hot chocolate, margaritas and martinis. If you do choose to enjoy alcoholic beverages during the holidays, try to alternate glasses of water in between.

Make Time for Self-Care

Don’t let your busy schedule and tasks get in the way of your own emotional and physical health. Make sure you’re taking time for yourself to unwind and relax. Go for a walk, watch your favorite movie or show, cook yourself your favorite meal or do some meditation. Also, ensure you get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night to stay healthy.

Change Your Mindset

Make sure you aren’t completely restricting yourself this holiday season. If you want to eat a dessert or drink a cup of hot chocolate, do so! Also, do not get mad at yourself for one excessive meal. You can have balance throughout your day or week and eat a healthy meal or snack the next time. You’ll feel better after the holidays the more consistently you keep your healthy habits, and the better you treat yourself.

Happy Holidays!

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Article by: UofL Health

UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with eight hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. With more than 13,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

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