How to stay on track during the holidays
The holiday craziness has started! I am totally here for it and can’t wait to make all the new memories as a family. However, the downside to it can be difficult to stay on our normal routine and stay feeling great. There are some simple things that you can do to stay on track with your overall health even when things feel a little crazy this time of year.
1. Prioritize Sleep:
Sleep is critical in all aspects of life especially during viral season and when stress levels might be a little higher then normal. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep is the goal each night for several reasons:
Keeping that immune system happy and hopefully avoid getting sick
Recovering from your workouts, with all the extra stress, straying from your eating patterns you don’t want to be under recovering and set yourself up for injury!
Weight loss, yep I said it:) Studies have shown that sleeping at least 7 hours per night helps you lose more weight.
2. Stress Management
We all have those events, family parties, extra expenses that pop up that can really get under our skin. Recognizing your stress levels and readjusting to manage better is key. When you feel yourself getting out of control, slow down and pay attention. Things you can do to help get back under control:
Get outside and go for a walk
Focus on your breathing. Try to make sure you are breathing through your nose. Relax those shoulders and no shallow breathing. Give a round of box breathing a go (Inhale for 5 second, hold for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds and hold for 5 seconds).
Don’t skip sleep.
Eat well with lots of fruits and vegetables and prioritize protein.
3. Move
Seems pretty intuitive right? Well at least where I live it is cold and it sure makes me not want to get outside as much. But even if you can’t get your normal workout in, staying active during the day will really help. Try to get a walk in, park farther from the store entrance, make an effort to get moving.
Try to get some steps in each day, shoot for a goal of 8,000 if possible. If not try to do more then you normally do.
Not being able to get a regularly scheduled work out in can be frustrating but maybe this is a great time to give your body much needed rest. If you have move try to do something restorative like yoga or meditation. Or do something fun that you haven’t tried before! Focus on the positive here:)
