Tips for your body health this festive season

When the festive season of Christmas arrives it can mean late nights, alcohol and food excesses replace our gym routines! Soon we feel sluggish, tired and our resilience runs at an all-time low.

By the time New Year’s rolls around we find ourselves resolving to never drink again, to start a daily running routine and to only eat salad for the next 3 months. Which lasts until January 12^th.

So….  Small steps make all the difference. Let’s explore simple tips and tricks you can try to keep your body health on track. Having a healthy body means you have resilience to navigate any challenges that come your way over the festive season and also means you don’t fall in a heap on New Year’s Day.

Remember that motivation is much like a battery and runs low by the end of the day. So choosing wisely right from the time you wake up in the morning can mean the  ball starts rolling in the right direction.

Diet

What you put in your mouth affects your mood, your mindset, your energy levels, your vitality and your resilience. So it makes sense to choose wisely!

• Start each day with a glass of water. This very simple habit can help you stay hydrated. Too much alcohol can affect your bodies hydration. Often when we feel hungry or fatigued, we are actually thirsty.
• Stock the fridge with healthy snacks. That means when you are tired, low on motivation or hungry you are less likely to reach for the unhealthy options when you open the fridge door. Shop from the outside aisles of the supermarket and keep the fridge stocked with easy salads, nuts and berries, yoghurt or protein snacks. Avoid the centre shopping aisles that can be filled with packaged sugary snacks.
• Maintain 4 alcohol free days a week and stick to that as a rule for yourself. It’s better for your liver, it’s better for your brain and it’s better for your mood. Many of us slip into the habit of using alcohol to numb difficult emotions over Xmas. But this choice also numbs your joy.
• When out socialising, choose to start the night with a water before moving onto other drinks. Choose menu options that avoid rich sauces or deep fried oily food.

Sleep health

• The two biggest disruptors to a healthy sleep pattern are coffee and alcohol. Avoid coffee after lunch and ditch the booze.
• Keep a regular sleep pattern. That means, if you have a late night, try to get up roughly the same time as normal.
• Afternoon siesta’s are the best! Allow yourself an afternoon nap to relax and unwind.
• Read more about sleep health here

Exercise

• Get your exercise in first thing in the morning before you lose motivation or get distracted by the next social event. Even a ten min walk in the morning can be a great way to start the day. You need 30 mins a day of movement and we can lose our momentum by the end of the day. Get up, drink your water, put your shoes on and move.

Stress management

• Christmas can be a stressful time for many people. The expectations we have on others. The expectations others have on us. The anxious frenzy to complete all tasks before the break. All of it can take a toll on your body health. Simple tips include getting into nature, turning off your devices, small moments of mindfulness, 5 mins of meditation each morning and slow belly breathing can help. Listen to our podcast tips on stress management here.

If all else fails- don’t forget to have a laugh and hold some gratitude. Great for your health, great for your body, mind and heart.

Wishing you all a beautiful festive season.