The holidays are tough, and they always seem to sneak up on us. Find out how to prepare your body ahead of time and feel great through the end of the year.
October 2022. This article is independently written by Shelby Golding. All opinions given are hers. Shelby has been certified as a personal trainer and nutritional specialist since 2007. In 2008, she found her passion for writing about these topics and hasn't looked back.
It would be best if you started preparing now, which begins with your body and your overall health. So, it’s time to start focusing on the healthy habits that will help you look and feel your best, no matter how you celebrate. Keep reading to learn more.
Wellness From The Inside Out
To be your healthiest and best, you must start fostering your wellness from the inside out by fueling your body and maintaining it with the right things every day. You want to focus on fundamentals such as proper nutrition, plenty of sleep, and regular fitness. It goes further than that, though, because it’s also about listening to your body.
This is an excellent time to ditch the bad habits you may have let creep in all year long. It happens to all of us, so there's no reason to feel bad! Instead, you can make effective changes that will stay with you moving forward.
Think of your body as a temple (or a nice house, whatever works for you), and then take care of it. The foods you eat, the activity you get, and the things you do daily can contribute to your wellness. For example, the right foods provide nutrients that benefit your body, and managing your stress can help you to maintain better health.
Listening to your body is a huge factor too. If your body is telling you to slow down, then listen. If you feel stress or exhaustion, take the necessary steps. All this will create better health and wellness, allowing you to be your best for the holiday season and beyond.
Learn How to Manage Your Stress
It sounds simple enough, right? Stay ahead of the stress before it takes over. Yet many of us need to learn how to manage our stress levels effectively.
The holidays can be joyful, but they can also bring a lot of stress. And you may not realize it, but this can have a horrible impact on your health. Your body often sends signs when it feels stress taking over — listen to these signs, as it could save you from future health problems.
The holidays can be joyful, but they can also bring a lot of stress. And you may not realize it, but this can have a horrible impact on your health. Your body often sends signs when it feels stress taking over — listen to these signs, as it could save you from future health problems.
Find Your Healthy Outlet
We all have something that helps us stay calm and keep the stress away. Figure out what yours is, and then embrace it. Finding an outlet that can promote calm and peace will help you maintain a better mindset while helping your body. Once you do, embrace it and use it to get through the holiday season.
It may be meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling, or deep breathing. Again, there is no right or wrong here. It's all about focusing on the things that calm you down. You can turn to these tactics when you feel the stress coming on so that you can get through the holiday season with good health intact. But remember, you can use these methods for the rest of your life, too!
It may be meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling, or deep breathing. Again, there is no right or wrong here. It's all about focusing on the things that calm you down. You can turn to these tactics when you feel the stress coming on so that you can get through the holiday season with good health intact. But remember, you can use these methods for the rest of your life, too!
Make Sleep a Priority
If you’re being honest with yourself, do you get enough sleep? Is that the first thing to go when you encounter a busy day? Unfortunately, most of us don't prioritize sleep and instead walk around feeling sleep deprived and foggy. And this can cause issues with your body and your overall health.
When the chaos of the holiday season is upon you, you need to start getting more sleep. Ideally, you want to aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. And while this may take some preparation and shifting things around, it will be worth i
Change your schedule to allow you to get the sleep you need. For example, when you sleep, your body can recharge and rejuvenate, allowing you to wake up feeling ready to focus and take on the day ahead.
It can take time to get into new sleep habits, and you might also need to make small changes to your surroundings. For example, it helps to eliminate distractions and light in your bedroom to encourage good, uninterrupted sleep each night. Lowering the temperature in your bedroom when you sleep can help, too.
It can take time to get into new sleep habits, and you might also need to make small changes to your surroundings. For example, it helps to eliminate distractions and light in your bedroom to encourage good, uninterrupted sleep each night. Lowering the temperature in your bedroom when you sleep can help, too.
Focus on Your Nutrition Now
The foods you eat can make or break your health, and during the holidays, you'll be eating foods that aren't usually part of your daily diet. Making effective changes ahead of time can help you stay healthy and avoid overeating later.
Remind yourself that your nutrition fuels your body and health. So, while you shouldn't be afraid to enjoy a special treat now and then through the holidays, it's crucial to back that up with a balanced diet the rest of the time. For example, if you eat well 80% of the time, you can enjoy special treats 20% of the time.
Remind yourself that your nutrition fuels your body and health. So, while you shouldn't be afraid to enjoy a special treat now and then through the holidays, it's crucial to back that up with a balanced diet the rest of the time. For example, if you eat well 80% of the time, you can enjoy special treats 20% of the time.
Include the Best Foods To Give You Key Nutrients
You always want to eat nutrient-rich foods, but this is even more essential when sweets and indulgent dishes are at your fingertips. And try to include foods high in good fats, like olive oil, walnuts, salmon, or avocados, to protect your liver if you drink more alcohol.
Eating lots of lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, like tofu, chicken, turkey, beans and legumes, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, can also help you stay energized and focused. These foods can also help you feel full for longer, so you don’t overindulge and feel better about enjoying the occasional treat.
Eating lots of lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, like tofu, chicken, turkey, beans and legumes, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, can also help you stay energized and focused. These foods can also help you feel full for longer, so you don’t overindulge and feel better about enjoying the occasional treat.
Get Into Good Workout Habits Early
Ideally, we should all exercise regularly all year long. Activity is essential to keep your heart, lungs, and body healthy, especially if you want to feel your best. As you prepare for the holidays, though, it's even more critical.
Aim to incorporate cardio and strength training in your workout routine, and try exercising for 150 minutes a week. This habit will help you build muscle, speeding up your metabolism while helping you burn fat and maintain a healthy weight range.
A solid, well-rounded fitness routine is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a busy season ahead. In addition, it can help you to release stress and maintain a better mindset. So, mix it up and focus on things you like to keep it interesting, but remember to try some new physical activities to keep your body guessing.
Aim to incorporate cardio and strength training in your workout routine, and try exercising for 150 minutes a week. This habit will help you build muscle, speeding up your metabolism while helping you burn fat and maintain a healthy weight range.
A solid, well-rounded fitness routine is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for a busy season ahead. In addition, it can help you to release stress and maintain a better mindset. So, mix it up and focus on things you like to keep it interesting, but remember to try some new physical activities to keep your body guessing.
Be Mindful of the Excess
Be realistic and recognize that you will likely enjoy special treats and beverages. And if you drink alcohol over the holidays, be mindful — it's all about avoiding the excess. If you allow yourself that glass of wine or dessert, you will feel fulfilled, but if you overdo it, you'll likely feel tired and sick the following day.
Moderation may take some getting used to, as we all tend to overindulge at this time of year, but preparation can be a big help. For example, if you eat small snacks and drink plenty of water before sitting down to eat, you'll have a better chance of handling temptation.
Moderation may take some getting used to, as we all tend to overindulge at this time of year, but preparation can be a big help. For example, if you eat small snacks and drink plenty of water before sitting down to eat, you'll have a better chance of handling temptation.
It's Time to Prepare
The holidays can be full of equal parts fun and stress, so make a habit of preparing your body in advance. The patterns you learn now will help you move forward with a healthy, happy body. So stick with it, and don’t give up if you have a bad day — your body will respond to positive input, and it’s up to you to provide that.
And if you deal with chronic pain during the holidays, which can make it more challenging to say no to temptation, don’t forget to keep your Kailo Pain Patch with you. Kailo is designed to relieve pain in seconds, and a recent clinical study showed a significant decrease in pain, and an increase in quality of life when switching to Kailo from oral medication.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
And if you deal with chronic pain during the holidays, which can make it more challenging to say no to temptation, don’t forget to keep your Kailo Pain Patch with you. Kailo is designed to relieve pain in seconds, and a recent clinical study showed a significant decrease in pain, and an increase in quality of life when switching to Kailo from oral medication.
Disclaimer: Kailo should not be used if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant. Always consult your doctor or health care professional before using Kailo.
