Healthy Habits For The Holiday Season
As we head into the holidays, it’s easy to get off-track from your normal, healthy lifestyle. So, it is time to do a little planning in order to create and maintain your health as the winter draws near and schedules start to become filled. Thinking ahead and being prepared can give you the tools you need to stay healthy!
Here are 7 tips for creating optimum health during the holiday season.
1. Drink a large glass of high quality water first thing in the morning, before doing anything else. Hydration, even in the winter, is important. Adding the juice of a lime or lemon to it can add some nourishing vitamin C, as well as alkalizing benefits.
2. Eat breakfast. In fact, the best meal of the day should be breakfast. It is what can enhance your nutrient intake, help with weight management, increase mental acuity and give you the energy you need to get you through your day.
Some examples for breakfast are a high-protein smoothie, whole grain toast with nut butter, whole grain oatmeal or quinoa, or eggs.
There are many great breakfast and lunch recipes in “How To Be A Healthy Vegetarian,” as well as my new book with Maryann De Leo, “Alive and Cooking,” (which is not vegetarian.)
3. Lunch is the second most important meal of the day. Make sure to set aside enough time to have a healthy, relaxed lunch. If you take your lunch with you to school or work, making it the night before will create a less stressful morning.
Some examples for lunch are a whole-grain, gluten free sandwich, a salad with nuts and seeds (dressing on the side), hummus and whole-grain, gluten- free pita, or cut up veggies to use instead of chips, soup and salads. Add sprouts to salads and sandwiches for added nutritional benefit.
4. Have one day, each week that you get your grocery shopping done, make some food for the week and organize the meals. I like to cook and prepare things in bulk for the week. I will cook beans, quinoa, lentils, soups, etc. Then as the week progresses, I can quickly throw a few ingredients into my pan and make simple easy stir-fries or salads.
When my children were growing up, I would let them help me make their school lunches. We could use fun cookie cutters for making their food more fun to eat. They always enjoyed their food so much more when they helped participate in the making. Now my daughter is in law school and she still makes lunches to take with her to school and get her through the busy day.
5. Make some time to get some exercise. Put 30 minutes to an hour on your schedule at least 3 times a week. Make it as an appointment with yourself.
Walk, ride a bike, hike, take a yoga class or work out at the gym. By doing this, you keep your lymphatic system moving and oxygenate your blood. Exercise will give you more energy, create better sleep, enhance memory and mood, and give your immune system a boost.
6. Get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is when the body rests and heals. Before going to sleep, write down everything you need or want to do the next day, allowing your mind to rest better because it is clear and free to relax.
I also like to write down a few things from my day that I am grateful for. Doing this before bed can create positive and uplifting rest. Putting all electronics in another room and having no light to disturb your sleep is also helpful.
7. Take time to laugh. Laughter is great medicine. One can’t be worried or stressed when laughing. So, every day find something to enjoy, appreciate and see with humor. Your body will love you for it.
I wish you a happy holiday season and hope these tips help you maintain a healthy lifestyle despite the hecticness that can come with the holiday season.
