Every year, come the holidays, I vow to be more moderate. And every year, like so many others, I struggle with this goal (see The 80/20 Rule, which gets pushed to its limit in December).
Holiday eating, Christmas lists, gift exchanges, cocktails here, there and everywhere - as your calendar fills up with festive fun, this month can be exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure.
The difference between staying at the top of your game or becoming a holiday train wreck is all about balance. To moderate the fun and fabulous-ness of the season, these quick fixes will help you arrive at the finish line as the best version of your December self.
8 Tips for Keeping You Healthy for the Holidays
Keep up your exercise regime. This is Rule Number One. Keeping up your normal workout routine will be difficult some days, but it is your most important strategy for staying healthy, calm, and happy in the face of all the excess.
Re-mineralize. Drinking, overeating, stress: all contribute to acidity in your body, which is a perfect breeding ground for getting sick. To combat this, drink TONS of water. It’s a bonus if you can find alkaline (mineralized) water, unsweetened coconut water, or maple water.
Begin your day with a glass of water and the juice of half a lemon. It’s a blast of Vitamin C and great for digestion, too. Drink 15-30 minutes before you eat.
Take epsom salt baths. Your skin will soak up all those great minerals and help alkalize your body.
Eat your veggies. Do your best to get in at least 3-4 servings daily. They’ll help to mitigate all the feasting.
Schedule time out every day. No screens, no electronics. Just relax, take a short nap, meditate, or read a book.
Get enough sleep. This is when your body re-boots and regenerates. Don't cut corners on this one.
Finally, enjoy! It’s truly a gift to be able to celebrate the joys of the season with the people who make you happy. Take your foot off the pedal and be grateful for all the best the holidays have to offer.
