Poet Edith Sitwell once noted that “winter is the time for comfort, good food and warmth, the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” The holiday season is certainly the most wonderful time of the year for fun, food, and festive friendliness. Nonetheless, the seasonal activities can significantly offset a number of your healthy habits in the process.
Never fear—you don’t need to wait until the new year to get your health and fitness goals on track. Let’s take a closer look at a few simple ways to stay fit during the holiday season.
Chill Out: Modify Your Fitness Pursuits
In the hustle and bustle of the season, you shouldn’t worry too much about fulfilling your traditional regimen. Relieve any pressure off your shoulders to fit in a raggle-taggle of activities each day. Keep in mind that your mental health is just as vital as your physical health this time of year. Instead of burning the candles at both ends, be realistic in your pursuits to stay fit with achievable tasks.
Aim for a steady half-hour of exercise every day and stick to an intentional routine to stay accountable. Early morning workouts are the best for avoiding distractions later in the day. Make time to schedule plans and prevent excess stress with a healthy work-life balance. This includes getting enough sleep to support your well-being during the holiday hoopla.
Be Consistent: Exercise in Any Way Possible
Remember that there’s often no reason to stop or avoid working out completely. When the holidays get hectic, rid yourself of the “all or nothing” mindset. Don’t toss healthy activities aside to check extra items off your seasonal to-do list. Consistency is essential to staying active during busy times of the year and getting your muscles pumping and blood flowing in colder weather. Using creativity will help you make perfect fitness solutions.
Consider exercises you can do in the warmth of your own home, or think about how you can turn family time into fitness time. If you’re heading out to a shop, you can circle around the store a few times or park further away to get some extra steps in. Even getting up every hour during the day to pace around or do short spurts of squats during movie marathons will help your health. Don’t forget about doing activities for recovery to help you reboot, recharge, and relieve muscle aches.
Watch Consumption Habits: Enjoy Yourself Wisely
Besides exercise, nutrition is the name of the game for optimal holiday fitness. Your seasonal lifestyle holds an influence on your wellbeing. Thus, wise consumption habits are among the simple ways to stay fit during the holiday season. Tasty foods and drinks are everywhere and anywhere, but you should seek to control what you eat.
Fill up on greens, fruits, and proteins, and remember portion control when eating sweet treats and richer indulgences. Balance is crucial for enjoying yourself in this season of joy and abundance. You can still revel in the merry festivities guilt-free when you remember these considerations.
