The holiday season is here.
While putting in the extra time and energy to make the season bright for family and friends, you need to also take care of yourself. Because crashing and burning before a family party, department meeting, or corporate event is not ideal.
If you feel you don’t have time and energy to keep up healthy habits along with everything else you’ve got going on, it’s time to simplify. Focus on these three basics to dial down the stress and the expectations, and successfully maintain your health and your well-being this holiday season.
1. Hydrate
Bring that water bottle everywhere! When we’re not getting enough water, lower blood volume can result in sluggishness and even slow our thinking. Staying hydrated will keep the blood going to your brain, body, and skin so you can shine like the star that you are—all day long.
Top off your hydration by eating plant foods with every meal. Fruits and vegetables are filled with water and fiber. Fill half of your plate with these to be more satisfied with fewer calories and feel better after eating other, less-optimal foods. These nutrient and water-filled gems will also curb your appetite, so you want less dessert.
2. Move
Exercise gets your endorphins going, brings the stress down, and amps up the energy. As an added benefit, it moves blood to your brain and face, which will help you stay both sharp and radiant.
If you can’t make it to the gym as often this season, put some extra walking into your day. Walk to a further bus or train stop on your commute, pick a lunch spot that’s further away and walk the difference, or circle the block a few times during your break to increase circulation and renew your energy and enthusiasm.
If it’s cold—bundle up! You’ll get warm when you get moving.
3. Sleep
We need to get enough sleep to be at our best. Deep sleep is when you’ll optimize gains from exercise, recover from injury, fight illness, and upload information into long-term memory. Research even suggests that we clear our brains of chemicals associated with Alzheimer’s during sleep. To top it off, sleep does for our looks what no beauty product can.
Stress can get in the way of falling asleep and can disturb deep sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, start to bring your energy level down an hour or two before bed. That includes getting off the computer and turning off the TV. Some helpful activities are listening to music, lighting candles, taking a shower or bath, and reading.
Make these three simple items a priority.
See how fresh and energized you can feel through the holiday season. Not only will your holiday “to-do” list become easier, but so will everything else.
I’ll see you on the other side!
PS- Here are Three Tips for Simple Holiday Stress Relief.
https://youtu.be/X_QAvF0g1CA
Luci Gabel- MA, MBA, ACE, ACSM – Exercise Physiologist, nutritionist, content manager and owner of LuciFit, LLC.
Luci helps clients and students drop the fads, sort out the myths from reality, and understand food and fitness in a way that works for their body, and for life. She has over 20 years of experience working with a wide range of clients, from professional athletes to the business savvy woman. You can count on Luci to be your truth-teller, and your myth dispeller when it comes to mass media information about food and exercise. And she’ll always be a cheerleader on your side!
