The holiday season is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends and unwind after a busy year.
With all the festivities that tend to take place involving yummy food, alcoholic drinks, and socializing, it’s also a period when our usual health routines can take a backseat, leading to post-holiday regrets or difficulty getting back into a healthy routine going into the new year. But staying healthy while savoring the festivities doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
Let’s look at some ways to strike a balance between enjoying the season and still prioritizing your well-being.
Heading into 2025, you want to be feeling your best – take the steps to put yourself in the best position for success while enjoying yourself too.
1. Practice Mindful Eating
The holidays often mean tables full of delicious foods that may not be the healthiest – such as cake or ice cream – but you can enjoy them in moderation without overindulging.
Mindful eating is about listening to your body’s hunger cues, so take your time to eat and savor the flavors of each dish. When your stomach is full, listen to it!
You can also use smaller plates to help manage portion sizes while still getting to sample a bit of everything you love. Fill half of your plate with vegetables and the rest with protein and indulgent treats to make sure you are eating a well-balanced meal.
This is not only a great strategy for the holiday season, but for anytime throughout the year.
2. Stay Active
It’s tempting to skip workouts during the busy holiday season, but staying active can help counterbalance those extra calories and reduce stress. Set realistic goals ahead of time.
Aiming for 20 to 30 minutes of movement each day is a great place to start. If you’re new to working out, start small.
A brisk 20 minute walk each day is a great way to work your way up to running, whether on a treadmill or on a local nature trail.
Depending on your budget, you may also use the holiday season as a great time to join a gym. Many individuals have time off from work or school during the period between Christmas and New Years, so what better way to get started on 2025 resolutions then by pushing yourself and working out at the gym.
If you’re a beginner gym-goer, a basic routine to follow is this three day pattern: push, pull, and legs.
Exercising doesn’t have to be boring, either. Switch up your routines–take a scenic walk one day and do some yoga the next. You can even make the exercise festive by dancing to your favorite holiday songs or ice skating with your family or friends.
In fact, the more fun the exercise activity is, the more you’ll likely be excited to do said activity again and again.
3. Hydrate, Don’t Hibernate
Stay hydrated! Dehydration can sometimes masquerade as hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking and avoidable added weight. It can also cause headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps which can really put on a damper on enjoying the festive season.
Aim for at least eight full glasses of water daily, especially if you’ll be indulging in more alcohol than usual.
If you are drinking alcoholic beverages, alternate each drink with a glass of water to stay hydrated and avoid a bad hangover the next morning.
4. Plan Ahead for Parties
Attending a holiday gathering doesn’t mean throwing all caution to the wind. If you’re worried about overindulging at a party, you can eat a healthy snack ahead of time to keep hunger-led temptations at bay.
If it’s a potluck, you can contribute a nutritious option such as a veggie platter or fruit-based dessert–that way, you know there will be at least one guilt-free choice.
If you do find yourself giving in to some unhealthy dishes, don’t fret. It’s not an exact science!
After all, the holidays are a time to enjoy yourself and overeating can always be offset by being a little more active during the ensuing week.
5. Prioritize Sleep
Late nights at holiday parties and family gatherings can disrupt your sleep schedule, but rest is important to maintain your energy and mood. Try to stick to a routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
If you have trouble falling asleep, a wind-down ritual might help ease your body into rest mode. Enjoy a warm cup of herbal tea or read before bed to relax.
Avoid phone, TV, and laptop screens in the hour before bed-time as these can further disrupt your sleep cycle.
To take it a step further, consider investing in a sleep mask or blackout curtains to limit your exposure to outside light.
6. Manage Stress
The holidays can be stressful, but managing stress effectively can keep you feeling your best and take full advantage of this season. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can be a great way to curb depression and anxiety, but it’s not always easy. Luckily, there are a few ways to shift into the gratitude mindset.
First, try to focus on the joys of the season rather than the pressures. For example, you could focus on the rowdy kids and how you have to answer the same questions at every family gathering, or you could remember the joy of being a kid and how special it is to spend time with loved ones.
The first will leave you annoyed and impatient, whereas the latter can help you relax and enjoy the festivities. Reframing your perspective will allow you to have a more optimistic outlook on otherwise bleak situations.
You also don’t want to overcommit to events or feel obligated to say yes to everything. Holiday shopping with friends can be fun, but it gets overwhelming when you spend the whole weekend out and about. Set aside time each day to meditate, journal, or enjoy another calming activity.
Even just taking a few hours to be by yourself at home is a great reset activity You can also carve out time each week for a self-care day to destress and feel refreshed going into the next week.
7. Take advantage of technology
If you often have a hectic schedule and forget to take time for yourself, consider downloading an app that can keep you on track.
If you want to gamify your wellness routine, Finch lets you set daily goals and reminders, which when completed, gives you in-app currency to buy outfits and decorations for your pet bird. You can also get real-world benefits. For example, Sincerely Health provides healthy recipes and encourages exercise by offering rewards for completed goals–which you can use to save money on groceries.
These are just a couple of examples, but make sure to choose a health and wellness app out there that
you want to explore further. Many of them can be personalized to fit your needs and health goals and can keep you motivated to achieve your short-and-long term goals with consistent use.
Many of them can be personalized to fit your needs and health goals and can keep you motivated to achieve your short-and-long term goals with consistent use.
8. Stay Connected
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. The holiday season can be a tough time, and staying connected with friends and family is important.
When you visit loved ones, try to put your phone down and truly connect. You can also share your goals so that they can support you and keep you accountable.
This may sound a bit contrary to the point about phones but make an effort to virtually connect with friends and family with whom you don’t see for months at a time.
A quick text to check-in on someone, or a brief FaceTime call catching up over video, can go a long way in making someone feel appreciated.
Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t mean skipping the celebrations or giving up your favorite treats.
By incorporating mindful choices, staying active, and prioritizing balance, you can enjoy the best of the season while still feeling your best.
After all, the holidays are about joy, connection, and creating memories—not about stressing over perfection.
