6 Ways to Honor Your Health Between Christmas and New Year’s 2022
January will be the time I get it together! is too often muttered these weeks, especially the week between Christmas and New Years. In fact, this week is often called “Witching Week,” with the popular belief that nothing you do in this week matters. The time is basically a black hole bubble of 🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️.
There’s festivities, alcohol, family time, and food galore. There’s movies on the couch, gingerbread baking, and curling up with a warm cup of hot cocoa.
While this black hole can fly by, it often leaves us out of sorts and scrambling when the new year hits us like a mack truck. To help you honor your health this holiday & head into the new year feeling refreshed and invigorated, here are 6 tips:
6 Ways To Honor Your Health During The “Witching Week”
Get Creative With Exercise
You may be in a location with no gym for miles, or simply unable to get away. How can you be creative here? Some thoughts include:
Getting bundled up and outside for a jog
Bringing the family for a walk
Having a game day of different exercises and activities timed, with the winner getting to choose which holiday movie you’ll watch later
Keep Sleep Consistent & Considerable
Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, but not too much. A solid 7-9 hours can make a huge difference, especially if you feel overwhelmed during this time
Keeping your bed and wake times consistent will help your body regulate itself, as well as help you adjust back to your post-break life
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
It’s recommended that you drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.
Dehydration can make us feel sluggish, hungry, and mentally exhausted. This can instigate the spiral of decreased physical activity and reaching for unhealthy foods. Try tracking your water intake to ensure you’re getting enough.
Some people find it helpful to set limits on alcoholic beverages. Keep in mind that alcohol is both a depressant and dehydrates the body.
Have An Accountability Go-To
Who can you text or call to keep you on track? A friend, partner, roommate?
It can be beneficial to chose someone who you aren’t physically with over the holidays. Make a goal to check in with this person once a day on how you’re feeling about your health and any goals you’ve set for yourself.
Remember the 80% 20% Rule for Nutrition
With your meals, try making 80% up of nutrient dense, lower calorie options. Then, 20% should make up the other delicious foods you’d like to enjoy: mac and cheese, a cookie, whatever your preference!
Be Mindful When Tempted To Skip Meals or Overexercise
Referencing #5 above, it’s not about restriction. It’s about balance and moderation.
If you try and skip breakfast and lunch leading up to a big meal, studies show you’re more likely to overeat. Instead, have nutrient-dense, protein-packed meals that will leave you satisfied and less likely to over do it later.
Similarly, over exercising can lead us to believe we’re hungrier than we really are. Instead of trying to rev it up, keep your exercise routine normal or aim for the CDC requirement of 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity per week
Overall, the holidays are a wonderful time of year! They are magical and full of life.
I hope you enjoy them dearly, and find time to give yourself and your health the love it deserves.
Questions about your holiday?
Message me here or contact me at:
margaretpeacock@mindbodypartner.com