Christmas is just over two weeks away (yikes – let that sink in for a minute!). Although it’s hard to do, I hope you’ve been able to feel at least somewhat calm, healthy and sexy during this busy time of year. Earlier this week I suggested a few quick tips for keeping things calm during the Christmas season. Today I’m suggesting a few quick tips for keeping things healthy, and on Sunday I’ll tackle keeping things sexy.
Although I love the idea of building healthy routines into our lives, this probably is not the time to add anything new. My goal this month is to keep things on an even keel, and then kickstart my healthy routines in the new year. Here are a few quick and easy tips for keeping things reasonably healthy over the next few weeks.
- Go outside and take a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day.
- Play outside with your kids for 30 minutes.
- Spend a few minutes stretching every day to de-stress your muscles and keep your body limber.
- Don’t munch mindlessly on holiday snacks and treats. Decide which ones you really want to eat, then sit down and enjoy them. Avoid run-of-the-mill party foods, packaged cookies, and other high-calorie/low-enjoyment foods – save the calories for the delicious foods you love, and maybe only eat once a year.
- Avoid fast food. Plan ahead when you’re going to be out shopping or running errands for hours and take some healthy snacks with you.
- When you’re at home, eat healthy, whole foods as often as possible.
- Sleep 7 – 8 hours almost every night.
- To protect your mental health, limit your exposure to difficult people. Set boundaries that protect you and your family from getting drawn into someone else’s drama. This is reasonably easy to do with friends and acquaintances, but more difficult with family members. (I’m not saying to avoid everyone who is hurting or needy, just that a difficult person should not be able to control your family’s schedule, frame of mind, or joy.)
Have you been able to keep things reasonably healthy? What tips have worked for you? Please share them in the comments – I would love to hear from you.
Gaye
Sharing with Let’s Get Real Hop.
jugglingrealfoodandreallife says
Great advice Gaye! I’m stopping in from Let’s Get Real today. I refuse to give up our real food diet just because it’s the holidays. You are right about needing to plan. I need to pack a few more snacks. I’ve come home from shopping and been about ready to chew my arm off. Instead, I grab some nuts till I can get a meal ready. Would have been better to take the snacks with me.
Sleep is also key with me. My husband has a bad habit of staying up way too late and pulling all-nighters to get wrapping done. I’m trying to not let that happen. It’s better for both of us if he gets some sleep.
GC says
Hi Christina – Yes, planning is the key. With everything that has been going on in my family, I am way off track with my planning and preparation. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting at my desk eating cookies that a co-worker brought in. Not good!
Gaye
elise says
Love that image, so true – It gets around the holiday and I use that as an excuse and eat way too many bad things.
Stopping over from a blog hop
http://www.iheartpears.blogspot.com
GC says
Hi Elise – I know – I used Thanksgiving as an excuse to get off track with good health habits, and I’m still fighting my way back! Thanks so much for stopping by from the blog hop – I hope you’ll come again.
Gaye
Becca says
Great tips. Walking everyday is a must for me! Thanks for sharing this at A Humble Bumble 🙂
I Gotta Try That says
What if the drama is in your own family. LOL! Thanks for sharing on “I Gotta Try That” Have a great week!
Marcie
GC says
Yeah, that makes it a lot harder to escape the drama!
Gaye
Sheila Simmons says
I need to sleep more, thanks for the article.
GC says
Hi Sheila – I have to get my sleep, or everything falls apart – lol!
Gaye
Jamie "ChatterBlossom says
Walk, sleep, stretch! Here I come healthy holiday!
-Jamie
http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/
GC says
Hi Jamie – Me too!
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye