Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy This Holiday Season
The holiday season is officially upon us. It’s an exciting time of year filled with fun, family, and delicious treats. But for some, the holidays can also be an overwhelming time of the year. The increase in business, change in regular routine, and increase in monthly spending can give rise to some stress. To keep the holiday blues at bay, here are a few tips on how to stay physically and mentally healthy this season.
Stay Physically Active
This is easier said than done during the busy holiday season, but it’s important to do your best to maintain some semblance of routine, especially when it comes to physical activity. If you usually wake up every morning to go for a walk, practice yoga, or bike, then keep it up! Activity is a wonderful way to alleviate stress and keep you healthy by increasing serotonin (the feel-good hormone) throughout your brain and the rest of the body. Find out if your serotonin levels need a boost by visiting Exceed for a hormone evaluation.
Get your family involved in the activities! After Thanksgiving dinner, take a family walk in your neighborhood and see the Christmas lights instead of turning the television on. This is a great way to connect with your family while getting some exercise.
Maintain Healthy Habits
You should feel at liberty to partake in the holiday treats! But make sure you balance the sugary foods with healthy choices. Pick your favorite treats and skip the ones that you can do without. If you know that you’ll be at a holiday dinner party, start your day with a breakfast smoothie, or have a healthy snack like carrots and hummus or an egg on whole wheat toast before you go. That way, you won’t be as tempted to overindulge in sugary foods.
Healthy habits are not exclusive to your diet! Keep mentally fit by reading, praying, or meditating. Know your limits and feel free to politely decline if your schedule is becoming too crowded. If you do end up attending several holiday events and you’re feeling overwhelmed by the crowds, feel free to excuse yourself and walk around outside to take a few deep breaths.
Create a Budget
Did you know that the average American spends about $1,000 dollars each year on holiday gifts? While everyone enjoys giving their loved ones thoughtful gifts throughout the season, this can quickly get expensive, especially with inflation taking a toll on most of us. It’s important to create a budget that fits your finances. Know what you can afford, write out your list, and designate the amounts that you can spend on each person. There are many ways to show your family and friends that you care without spending a significant amount of money. Handmade gifts like a knitted scarf, blanket, or photo album are meaningful and lasting.
Cultivate Meaningful Relationships
Don’t take the extra time with loved ones for granted. Sometimes we can get caught up in the business of the season that we can forget to pause and enjoy being around our family and friends. The holidays offer the perfect opportunity to check in and create lasting memories. Take time to connect amidst the business and tell your family that you care about them.
We hope that your holiday season is filled with joy, peace, and cherished memories.
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