We all know that the festive season is a time for celebration, good cheer and over-indulgence. But how do you avoid going overboard and ending up undoing your usual healthy lifestyle habits? Here are some tips to help you avoid the dreaded post-Christmas bloat.
1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Don’t go too overboard with the turkey and ham at Christmas lunch. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet. Aim for healthy swaps when cooking, for example, you could make your own stuffing with your favourite herbs and vegetables rather than using store-bought packets that are usually higher in fat.
Have healthy snacks on hand to keep you satisfied between meals, such as fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts. This will help you avoid snacking on sugary treats which will add extra calories and leave you feeling sluggish and tired.
2. Don’t skip meals
Try not to skip any of your regular meals during this busy time of year as this will help control your cravings and prevent you from overeating at meal times. Try to eat three meals a day with plenty of nutritious snacks in between to prevent hunger pangs from kicking in and forcing you to reach for the chocolates.
3. Portion control
Try to resist the temptation to over-indulge at meal times by monitoring how much food you eat at each sitting. It is important to practice portion control as this will help you to avoid gaining weight and feeling bloated.
4. Drink plenty of water
Aim to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day to help to keep your digestive system working properly to avoid dehydration. Limit your alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day if you enjoy a Christmas tipple.
5. Exercise
Exercising regularly will help to keep your energy levels up and prevent feelings of tiredness and lethargy. It will also help to burn off any extra calories that you may be consuming during the Christmas period. Make it fun by taking a walk with your family after dinner or doing a yoga session in the morning.
6. Prevent colds and illnesses
The number of social events together with the drop in temperatures at this time of year can result in the spread of colds and other minor illnesses. Make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin C to boost your immune system and wash or sanitize hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
7. Keep a regular sleep pattern
Sleep well every night to ensure you have the energy to enjoy Christmas to the full. Make sure that you’re getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night and keep your sleeping pattern as regular as possible between social engagements and parties. Schedule regular “me time” activities when you can. Light some candles and enjoy a relaxing bath with essential oils such as those available from iamnatural.it. It’s important that you set aside some time to rest and relax over the holidays so that you can recharge your batteries and start the new year feeling refreshed.
8. Be kind to yourself this Christmas
Make sure you take some time out to relax and spend some time with your friends and family this Christmas. The Christmas period is meant to be an enjoyable time with family and friends so try to keep things in perspective and try to relax and enjoy yourself as much as possible. If you enjoy a few too many chocolates one day don’t beat yourself up about it.
Final word
It is a time of the year for joy and celebration, but it’s also an important time to take care of your health. By following these tips, you will have the best possible start to the new year.