7 Tips For Happy Healthy Holidays

MichaelSunnarborg / December 03, 2018 Article, Image, Link / Leave a Comment

Coming from someone who loves to celebrate, I find this time of year most exciting. The holiday season gives us opportunities to be thankful, give to one another, and ring in another new year.

With all the reasons to act in exceptional ways, the holidays can also bring stress and may cause us to lose touch with our natural sense of well-being. A flurry of holiday errands, “to-do” lists, and social obligations can stretch us thin and take us away from having a healthy and happy holiday.

So as the holiday season moves into full swing, here are seven quick reminders to help us maintain positive momentum while we celebrate this exciting time of year:

Eat healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals… but don’t skimp on the fun. Along with the usual holiday treats and desserts, add enough real food to balance it out—including healthy proteins and complex carbohydrates—and your blood sugar will thank you.

Drink plenty of water and other healthy fluids. Watch your alcohol intake and keep your wits about you at holiday parties. If you’re bored with beverages, try adding low-sugar fruit juices or other natural flavorings to hot or cold water. These can make healthy alternatives that are both delicious and nutritious. Be creative!

Be present with the people around you. Seriously. Maximize your time off. Spend the holidays with the people you love, doing the things you love to do. In addition, take moments for yourself to breathe, introspect, and appreciate what you have. The holidays can be some of the most memorable moments of our lives, so enjoy them while they are here.

Rest between activities and get plenty of sleep at night. If you know you’ll be out late, try to take a quick power nap—a little goes a long way. The holidays always include extra activities and will take more energy than usual, so getting adequate amounts of rest will let you join in all the fun.

Move your body. Especially if our eating goes a little out of whack during the holiday season, moving our bodies will help keep our blood moving and our bodies more resilient. Even a short walk in the mornings or evenings can do wonders—plus, a little fresh air and a chat with a friend or family member while we’re walking is always a great way to refresh and reconnect.

Stop the spread of colds and illness. By remembering simple things like covering our mouths when we sneeze or cough and washing our hands often, we can quickly reduce the spread of germs. Carry extra tissues with you if your nose is runny, and pack natural throat lozenges if you have a cough.

Unplug from your phone, pad, TV, iPod. The world won’t come to an end without your updated status. Get back to the basics. Dig into your collections of classic holiday favorites. Unplug from the rest of the world and plug into a movie, music, and the people around you. You’ll be glad you did—and so will they.

Happy Holidays!

Michael Thomas Sunnarborg is a career coach, best-selling author, and founder of The White Box Club™—live coaching and resources for people in career transition. Learn more at michaelcreative.com

Ready to take your relationships, career, and daily life to the next level? Join me as I lead a series of online courses to inspire, motivate, and empower you to lead your best life. Pathways to Mastery classes are now available. Find more information and register at michaelcreative.com/engage

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