7 Ways to be healthier over Christmas
The festive season is a favourite for most of us, packed with holiday experiences, time with loved ones and delicious treats, but it can be difficult to prioritise our health during this period. If you want to be more health-conscious over Christmas, here are some easy ways to make healthier choices during the silly season without compromising on joy!
Continue to exercise
During this period, your regular gym may be closed, but you can still continue to exercise without working out. Take advantage of the weather and get outdoors with family members and friends. Head to the beach to swim, jog or play beach volleyball, go hiking or just take the dog for a walk around the neighbourhood to help digest those big Christmas feasts.
Focus on good quality sleep
You need at least 8 hours of sleep every night (1), and that means restful sleep where you actually recharge. Continue to practice good sleep habits, including no alcohol or caffeine 2 hours before bed, minimal screen time, and ensuring your room is the perfect temperature. Aim to eat no earlier than 4 hours before you sleep for the best results, as a busy digestive system will prevent you from getting to that vital deep, restorative sleep phase.
Watch your posture
We get it. Christmas can be physical when you're lifting and shifting heavy things (moving that sofa to find room for the Christmas tree, anyone?), hauling heavy shopping bags, picking up kids and everything in between! But unless you take care of your posture, you'll risk a back injury. Practice safe lifting using your knees, hips and ankles and maintain a good spine posture. Also, avoid hours scrolling on screens, or you'll get 'tech neck', hunched shoulders and a headache! It's a great time of year to try yoga or a stretching routine to keep everything balanced.
Cut down on sugar
It's really easy to eat too much sugar at Christmas, especially if your Christmas lunch ends with a delicious pavlova or Christmas pudding! We all know that sugar can negatively affect your health, but you can still enjoy it in moderation. To prevent overeating or cravings, add more healthy fat and protein into your diet to stay full, and continue to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Change your drink of choice
It’s easy to overindulge in alcohol, but heavy, or binge drinking increases the risk of heart disease, even in people who don’t usually drink much. Instead, try low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks to moderate your alcohol consumption.
Meditate
The festive season can be a whirlwind, and you might struggle to switch off at the end of the day if you're stressed or simply overwhelmed. Try meditating for a few minutes using an app or simply focus on breathing quietly in a room. You'll be amazed at how quickly this recharges and rebalances you.
Relax!
You've done the hard work, the rushing around, the preparations, the parties and the family visits - now it's time just to relax and enjoy the Christmas holiday. Order takeout if you need to. Let someone else wash up. Delegate like a boss. And if you need extra support? Book a massage with one of our experienced massage therapists. We’re open as normal, excluding public holidays.
However you celebrate the end of the year, the team at Health Shack hope you have a happy and healthy holiday period!
Sleep Health Foundation (Good sleep habits)