5 Tips For A Healthy Holiday

With the holiday month officially here, it’s time to start thinking about everything that comes with it. Shopping, parties and cocktails – oh my! With all of that holiday cheer being passed around it can definitely be a challenge to maintain healthy habits.

Before you go and surrender to the craziness of all things December, here are 5 tips to ensure you have a healthy holiday season.

Bring Your Own

Is your favourite aunt known for her cream cheese and mayonnaise appetizers? Plan ahead when heading to her house and prepare a healthy dish or two you can bring to share.  Not only will this provide you with something to nosh on while you enjoy the festivities, but your contribution will be a big help to the host or hostess, especially if you follow a diet different than their own. Vegan, gluten-free or even vegetarian diets can sometimes be overwhelming for those who are unfamiliar with these terms. Chances are the other guests will likely appreciate the healthier options as well, and will happily devour your kale salad delight.

Kick the Cold to the Curb

The holidays are filled with social occasions to visit with friends and families and the last thing you want is to be the one that brings a cold to the party. Strengthen your immune system and stay in tip top holiday form by consuming foods that have immune boosting properties in them. Vitamin C is known for its immune enhancing powers and can be found in dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale. Not only are these greens festive, but are also fantastic when steamed with a bit of garlic which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells.  Other immune boosting foods to devour include carrots, sweet potatoes, pineapple and citrus fruits. Sorry, the chocolate orange doesn’t count. Infact, sugar suppresses the immune system for up to 4 hours. Now eat those greens, your friends and family will thank you.

Pack some Healthy Snacks

With all the holiday shopping and your credit card getting the workout, it’s easy to hit the food court in the mall for lunch or a quick fix of frozen yogurt. Before you hit the stores, be sure to tuck a few healthy snacks such as an apple, some carrot sticks and hummus, a handful of almonds or a healthy snack bar into your pocket or bag. Not only will you fill up and stave off hunger with savvy items, but the fibre will help to regulate your blood sugar levels, make you feel fuller and provide you lasting energy to finish your marathon shopping spree. Not to mention the money saved from avoiding the mall food court. Don’t worry, we won’t tell Santa what you bought yourself with the savings.

Stay Hydrated

With so many delicious holiday drinks floating around, it’s a wonder we drink anything other than eggnog and mulled wine for the month of December. But remember that water, not dehydrating alcoholic libations, will keep your holiday cheer on the go. Whether you are power shopping, or schmoozing at posh parties, water will help flush out toxins and bacteria that can cause illness and keeps skin and organs hydrated during the dry winter months.  If you are doing any type of physical activity including dancing, skiing, skating or kissing under the mistletoe, be sure to increase your intake even more. Don’t wait until you are already thirsty either – this is often a sign that you are already dehydrated.

Find plain water kind of boring? Pop in some fresh orange or lemon slices for great taste and immune boosting properties or add some fresh cranberries for a full on festive feeling.

Reduce the Stress

Holiday spending, the hustle and bustle of the mall, fighting for a parking space, a packed social calendar, dealing with your nearest and dearest and all the heightened expectations of the season can all lead to stress overload. Stress is linked to many health conditions including headaches, fatigue, digestive problems, sleep issues, muscle tension and pain, high blood pressure, hair loss, irritability and even losing your sense of humour. Long term, stress can make you sick and age you well beyond your years.

Don’t succumb: Find a way to take some time for yourself and reduce the stress load in order to cope with the demands of the season. Go for a walk, read a good book, do a yoga class, have a quiet bath or watch your favourite holiday movie (Christmas Vacation anyone?). Even 10 minutes of time to yourself can make all the difference in reducing stress and anxiety and transform you from a Grinch into a Cindy Lou-Who.

So with all the excitement and the craziness ahead be sure to focus on what is most important this holiday season: enjoy time with loved ones. Love may contribute to better brain health, result in fewer doctors visits and result in greater longevity. Sounds like healthy holidays to me.

Peace and love to you and yours and pass the almond-milk eggnog please.