5 Tips for a Healthy (and still Merry) Christmas
Who really wants to be healthier over Christmas? It’s a time for treating yourself because you’ll make up for it in January, right?
Here are some top tips for a Christmas that makes you feel GOOD and sets you up for a healthier and happier new year.
Christmas is a time to enjoy ourselves. A time when we shouldn’t have to worry about diets and exercise routines…
But here's the problem. Come January, what’s the plan? For so many people out there, it’s joining the gym, it’s Dry January, it’s promising that your entire diet is going to be completely different. For some people, this may seem doable, but for the vast majority of us it is unrealistic thinking that’s only going to set us up for failure. We’ll end up demotivated and with far less drive to live a healthier and happier life.
These January health kicks may seem like a good idea, but they’re only ever short-term changes and are not sustainable in our day-to-day lives. There’s a reason why so many people sign up to the gym in January and then have already fallen out of their routine a few weeks later. But this isn’t their fault, it’s because they were trying to adopt a routine that wasn’t right for them to begin with.
So, what’s the answer? How can we still enjoy ourselves while not setting ourselves up for a miserable time in the new year?
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1. Eat and drink mindfully
Let's deal with the biggest hurdle first. Eating and drinking mindfully doesn't mean counting calories. It simply means to eat and drink what you genuinely want to and not to feel pressured into having everything that's offered to you.
There's a certain social pressure that comes with this time of year. Whether it's to do with finishing every last bit of meat on your plate, or having another glass prosecco… and another glass of prosecco! Try to look internally and decide what it is that you want. You need to hydrate? Get yourself a glass of water. Feeling sluggish after so much food? Take a break.
For a bonus point, try to take up more space on your plate with vegetables at the meal!
2. Take 5 minutes to yourself before the day begins
You're about to have a very long day; lots of socialising and overindulging. It's going to be manic and there are so many benefits to taking a little quiet time to yourself that I don't even know where to start.
Do some breathing exercises, enjoy a cup of tea in the quiet, or listen to your favourite Christmas tune!
Here are the top perks: You'll find mindful eating and drinking more doable, you'll feel calmer and happier in yourself, and it'll make you better company for other people!
3. Exercise or stretch (just a little!)
Take any time you can throughout the day to do a little bit of exercise or even just some simple body stretches. Whether it's first thing in the morning or the last thing at night, or if the only time you have is while you're cooking; jog on the spot, do some press-ups on the counter or do some stretches.
I guarantee you will feel so much better and it will really help to counter the effects of lazing on the sofa later on.
4. Spend quality time with the people you love
Having a genuine connection with your family and friends around any time of year is so incredibly important. On Christmas day, even though this feels obvious, so many people just go through the stress of the cooking, getting ready and wrapping presents, then go straight from all of that madness to being sat in front of the TV not talking to each other!
This year, get a board game out or some cards, something to encourage you to spend some good quality time together. Have a chat, a laugh, a cry, just have that time with the people closest to you.
5. Dedicate some time especially for you
Something that is the complete opposite to the fourth tip; have something which is planned out just for you. Whether Christmas is stressful or peaceful in your house, have some dedicated time to yourself to do something that you really enjoy. Sit with a good book, listen to music or run yourself a nice warm bath. Whatever you do, the most important thing is to do this in a guilt-free way.
Christmas is a time for relaxation and rest. You've earned it!
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Bring on the new year!
I hope you found these tips helpful and you'll think about using a few of them in the next few weeks. Who knows? If you enjoy them, you might carry them forward and set yourself up for a brighter, healthier and happier new year!
Working with a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach can greatly improve you chance of forming healthy habits that are the most natural and sustainable for your unique self.
Why not book a taster session with me today to walk away with your 5-point action plan for health and happiness and see what coaching could do for you?
Have an awesome Christmas!
Jo x
If you’d like some more ideas of how to look after yourself with more care, patience and positivity, download the completely FREE Stress Less Toolkit below.
Feeling stress from work? Check out this related post:
7 PRODUCTIVITY AND TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS TO AVOID FEELING OVERWHELMED
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Next steps…
These are only some of the possibilities when it comes to improving your diet and lifestyle. Find out which activities would be right for you by working with a Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach.