Making the season bright takes work…a lot of work! Holiday ads and holiday music make it seem like the season is all twinkling lights, big red bows, and cups of cider by the fireplace. However, anyone who’s ever hosted family or friends for the holidays knows that the season is also crowded grocery stores, short-fused drivers in packed parking lots and late nights spent cooking for an army. While you wouldn’t have a holiday season without all of the things that make your family and friends happy, it’s also important to check in on your own happiness this time of year—when seasonal pressures can impact your good health.
Stay the course in taking care of yourself this holiday season by following these five tips from the American Heart Association.
Keep up the healthy habits you have worked hard to create and follow all year. Continue to do something active every day and continue to make healthy food choices, starting with a healthy breakfast to kick start your busy days. And, don’t forget about striving to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.
Don’t let seasonal sugar sneak up on you. A holiday cookie here and an extra glass of eggnog there will add up to extra pounds you won’t want to carry with you into the new year. Make a plan to have healthy snacks on hand so you aren’t visiting the candy bowl when you have the urge to snack and have quick healthy meal items on hand for the days when you are short on time. When attending a holiday party offer to bring a healthy appetizer to ensure you will have something you feel good about eating.
Make the time—even just 30 minutes—to do something active. Exercise increases blood circulation to the brain which helps improve mood, motivation and stress and exercise releases endorphins, known as natural feel-good chemicals, which increase feelings of pleasure and well-being. And, you don’t have to run a marathon to experience the benefits of exercise. Even a brisk walk will release those endorphins and get your blood circulating. If you think you don’t have time to squeeze in some exercise consider this: Exercise can clear your mind and help you better focus on the things on your holiday to-do list.
Build in some me-time! Like making time for exercise, taking time for yourself during the busy holiday season can provide some major health benefits like recharging the mind and body with relaxation and rest. So go ahead and curl up under a blanket and watch that Hallmark holiday movie. It’s not an indulgence; it’s good holiday medicine.
Create a plan for the year ahead. Feelings of sadness can come with the passing of the holidays. With the parties over, the family gone, and decorations put away, it can feel like there’s nothing to look forward to. Creating a plan for the year will give you more months, more fun to look forward to.
Need a little more guidance to help you navigate the holiday season? Contact BHS, our employee assistance program, at 888-784-5665. Trained professionals are on staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week via a confidential phone call.