Christmas is always a time of excess, and it can be hard to find that delicate balance between having fun and compromising your health. We think the holidays should be a time to loosen up a bit – no one wants to drink green smoothies on Christmas day or get up at 6am to go to the gym when you’re on holiday, but there’s plenty you can do to stay healthy while still enjoying your break with family and friends. Here are some of our top tips:
The Christmas break often involves a lot more alcohol than other times of the year. Consider buying some zero-alcohol beers, cocktails or wine to alternate with the alcoholic ones so you don’t feel so awful the next day (it might even save you from telling Uncle Jimmy what you really think of him too)
Keep up your water intake – this is one of the basic foundations of good health and just maintaining some of those basics in times of indulgence can be really helpful over the break.
Take advantage of downtime. Make sure you use this relaxation time to let your body recuperate from the year that’s been. Have that afternoon nap, spend some hours reading in a hammock. Let your system get out of fight or flight mode.
Change up your exercise. If you don’t feel like hitting the gym or doing yoga classes over the break, this is a great time of the year to walk while catching up with friends. Go for a hike in the bush with your kids, on a long beach walk or even just a stroll around the neighbourhood with someone you haven’t caught up with in ages.
Become an expert at large salads. Find some killer recipes for easy salads that will last a few days in the fridge and don’t require too much effort. Having these on hand helps to balance out the fact you could find yourself having trifle for breakfast on boxing day (or making a daily habit of 4pm nibbles and drinks). Over the break, it’s often better to add in some healthy foods to your day than restrict your intake of all the delicious things we indulge in at this time of year.
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