During the holidays, we all too often find ourselves sitting on the couch and stuffing our faces (especially during and post Thanksgiving), without actually being active. Doing this too much can actually be harmful to your health, which is why it is important that you stay healthy and move around every once in a while. Staying active is especially important during the winter, when people are more prone to sickness. It is common for people to feel stressed or anxious around this time, which could lead to headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues.
How to Stay Active During the Winter
In many cases, we love to relax and watch TV or scroll on our phones during the winter holidays, and it is totally valid to want to have down days to relax and recharge. But there are so many fun opportunities to stay active and healthy during the holidays instead of staying home staring at screens. Simple things such as going on walks in the morning or evening (when it’s coolest) can help keep you moving, and are quick and fun too. It is understandable that the weather isn’t always the best during winter, whether from cold (or hot since we live in Florida), but that doesn’t mean you have to scroll on your phone all day! You can bake, cook, draw, play board games with your family or friends, read a book, do yoga, do karaoke, and more. Staying active and having fun is one of the most important parts of the winter holiday season, to make sure we feel the best that we can.
Eat Good, Feel Good
Around Christmas and Thanksgiving, many people love to sit on the couch and eat food every day, and while it is fun to do this every so often, stuffing your face with all the holiday food available every day isn’t the best for your well being. Doing this all the time can result in increased weight and worsened mood, since you’re just staying inside all day doing nothing and eating everything in sight. We love eating treats like cookies and chocolate, but eating these all of the time isn’t the best to do on a daily basis, especially during winter time when people prefer to stay inside instead of being active. Overeating or drinking can lead you to feel sluggish and bloated, so try finding healthier options for your holiday food and drink. For example, instead of eating chocolate, consider potatoes, it sounds silly, but when you want chocolate, it normally symbolizes that you need magnesium, and potatoes are rich in magnesium, which can satisfy your chocolate and sweet cravings.
We can occasionally find ourselves feeling stressed during this time, whether it is from testing, winter plans, or the new year. Feeling anxiety and experiencing burnout during the holidays can lead to overeating or undereating, insomnia, fatigue, and headaches. Managing this stress can be hard but it is possible. Using tricks like organizing your priorities, getting done what is most important, making sure to drink plenty of water, and just taking a deep breath can sometimes help you feel your best during the holidays.
