How do you manage to return to your healthy habits after the holiday season?
Winter holidays are the best time of the year when we’re able to indulge in all sorts of delicious foods, enjoy quality time with family and friends we barely have time to see during the year, and, most importantly, relax a bit because we deserve it.
For 50% of Americans, the holiday season means taking a detour from their healthy lifestyles and enjoying everything without worrying that what’s on their plate isn’t good for their diet. That’s not a tragedy, of course, because you can get back on track as soon as the celebrations are over.
But how do you do it? How can you get back to your healthy habits after two weeks of “no restrictions”? In today’s post, we’ll offer some advice on how to pick up your healthy routine without feeling overwhelmed because, in most situations, it’s easier said than done, and, when feeling a little down, especially after Christmas and NYE celebrations, very few people find the drive to return to their active lifestyle.
Proper sleep
If you have quite a big family and you had to commute and visit a lot of people during this time, you probably messed up your schedule quite a bit; that’s why one of the first things to do after the holidays is to make sure you rest properly.
Above all, make it a priority to get 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night. Never cut back on your sleeping hours because it’s the only time when your body repairs itself. It gives your immune system time to make proteins that fight inflammation and infection while also preparing your brain for another day of thinking, learning, and doing.
Focus on your healthy meals
One of the healthy habits to pick up after the holidays is meal prep. After so many tasty foods we indulge in during Christmas, foods that we wouldn’t typically eat (especially if you’re trying to lose some weight), it’s a must to get back to minding calories, proteins, and healthy carbs. Select foods high in vitamins and minerals whether you’re following a regular diet or a specialized one like the keto or paleo diets.
If you’re feeling like getting back to your healthy habits after the holidays is a bit too hard, try to start slowly by eating smaller portions, making colorful plates, and consuming more fruits and vegetables rather than sugary snacks.
Of course, you shouldn’t wait until next Christmas or the next big holiday to eat what you want because once in a while you’re allowed to eat stuff that makes your heart and stomach smile. They’re called cheat days, and we are grateful for them!
Drink a lot of water
During the holidays we all enjoy more sugary beverages and alcoholic drinks than normal, but if you want to re-pick your healthy habits, you must make an effort and start drinking more water daily.
Your activity level, health conditions, and geographic location all affect how much water your body requires, but in general, healthy people should consume 126 ounces of water per day for men and 92 ounces for women.
Get your yearly wellness check-up
This might sound a bit extreme, yet it’s not. Re-picking healthy habits after the holidays can be quite challenging, so before starting any specific diet, it’s better to make an annual wellness appointment to see how your overall health is, especially if you know you’re looking to lose weight or you feel like Christmas foods were a bit too much for you.
Talk to your doctor about your concerns, ask them for guidance if you’re suffering from gastrointestinal issues or you have certain food allergies and commit to doing this regularly, as it is recommended, every 3 months or twice a year.
Focus on self-care
You’re not the only one who loses yourself over the holidays. Once the celebrations are over, give yourself time and start getting back on track with baby steps. Nobody is rushing you! Self-care is the cornerstone of mental and physical health.
Apart from maintaining proper hydration, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising frequently, the following are some strategies to look after yourself: Motivate yourself and (or) find an accountability partner; have a lot of me time but also make sure you socialize enough with other people.
Practice meditation
Stressful holidays can make some people feel more depressed and anxious. Financial stress can result from planning celebrations and purchasing gifts, and being separated from your loved ones can make you feel lonely. Try promoting your mental health by engaging in mindfulness and meditation if you’re feeling anxious or even a little down after the holidays.
Reintroduce daily workouts to your routine
During the holidays, it’s easy to forget about your exercise regimen, and to be honest, who would hop on the treadmill when there is so much delicious food on the table? But as we start fresh, reintroduce daily exercise as a part of your plans and goals for the coming year.
If your health prevents you from working out three times a week, doctors advise you to walk for at least half an hour every day. To develop consistency, try incorporating exercise into your everyday schedule. When running errands, try parking in the farthest parking space if you can’t choose to drive to the grocery store instead of walking. The additional steps can mount up.
You should use exercise as a powerful tool to boost your confidence and health! If working out is part of your New Year’s resolution, make sure to set reasonable expectations and practice self-compassion.
If you want to start slowly, we suggest you do it with light dumbbells of 5 lbs. Most of them are super expensive, but Amazon sells them for a good price, starting at $9.99. If this is your first time using dumbbells, you might want to choose ones with a thick, long-lasting neoprene coating that is comfortable to hold and doesn’t require gloves. The neoprene coating creates a barrier that shields the floor from harm and stops the dumbbells from chipping.
Make time for your hobbies
Try setting aside time in the new year to unwind and engage in your interests and hobbies if you spent a lot of time over the holidays visiting relatives, running shopping, and cooking without much time for yourself. Are you an avid reader? After that, look for some amazing new books to read and continue your pastime.
Do you want something more dynamic? Make plans to go somewhere new or play sports with your friends. In the end, following your passions is beneficial to your mental well-being.
Bottom line:
Celebrating with loved ones, friends, coworkers, and family during the end-of-year holidays can be an awesome time. Or perhaps you simply relish the new year’s beginning. This is an ideal moment to start over and form new, healthy habits, regardless of whether you exercised or ate healthily during the holidays. Consider the eight recommendations above to promote your overall health and well-being in the coming year and beyond.
Related: Keep Your Cholesterol Happy During the Holiday Season.
