Healthy Holiday Makeover 2013

Healthy eating – With these healthy holiday eating tips, it is possible to eat, drink and be merry (in a healthy way) this holiday season:

• Back away from the buffet – Choose 3 or 4 items you really want to try, serve yourself a healthy portion, and then walk away and mingle as you eat.
• Make room for dessert – Eat less in the regular meal, leaving calories available for a few bites of dessert.
• Lighten up at the potluck – Bring a light and healthy option to potlucks, like a salad or roasted veggies.
• For more healthy holiday eating tips,
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Healthy activities – During the busy holiday season, it can be difficult to stick to your regular exercise routine, but don’t fret – there are ways to build activity into your daily activities. Here are a few tips:

• Take a walk after dinner – The fresh air is good for the lungs, and can help to jumpstart the digestion process
• While running errands, park at the far end of the parking lot and take the stairs whenever possible

Healthy hydration – The change from Fall to Winter can wreak havoc on your digestive system, making proper hydration even more important. Follow the guidelines below to stay hydrated:

• The Institutes of Medicine recommends about 9 cups of total beverages a day for women, and about 13 cups for men.
• Thirst is not an especially reliable indicator of whether your body is hydrated enough. Stay ahead of your thirst by drinking regularly during the day.
• Beverages other than water can count toward your overall fluid intake. Be mindful of drinking your calories, and try not to load up on sugary drinks such as soda, coffee concoctions and juice.

Healthy lifestyle – Holiday stress? Not this year! Use the following tips to stay cool as a cucumber this holiday season:

• Keep a positive attitude, rather than defaulting to negatives. Give yourself positive reminders throughout the day.
• Manage your time. Give yourself proper time to get things done.
• Take 15-20 minutes every day to sit quietly and reflect, while focusing on taking deep breaths.
• Get enough rest and sleep (7-8 hours per night is recommended). Your body needs time to recover from stressful events.

This article first appeared in the December 2013 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.