HEALTHY HOLIDAY HABITS:

10 Habits for a Healthy Balance Through the Holiday Season

The holiday season is filled with joy, laughter and the company of loved ones. However, it can also be a time of stress, overindulgence and overstimulation.

It is important to prioritize overall health during this busy time of year to fully enjoy the festivities without compromising mental, emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellness. Creating regular habits is an effective way to enjoy a more balanced and healthier holiday season.

Here are 10 simple habits that help establish and maintain healthy living throughout the holidays:

1. Portion Control Plating: Choose the smaller plates when serving holiday meals and treats to avoid overeating. Try not to heap an Everest-sized food mountain.
2. Swap it Out: Stock the fridge and pantry with healthier substitutions for holiday recipes, such as Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or whole grains instead of refined grains. Keep a cheat sheet of measurement conversions and equivalents taped to the inside of the pantry door.
3. No-Spend Weekend: To reel in the holiday spending and avoid financial stress, set aside an entire weekend that is totally cut off from spending once a month. Cook meals at home, build a festive fort with the kids and have a card game date night with that saved-for-a-special-occasion bottle of wine.
4. Shmooze without the Booze: Prevent overindulging in alcohol at holiday dinners and parties by adopting a two-to-one, water-to-cocktail rule. Downing two full glasses of water before each drink will prevent dehydration and keep the number of libations to a minimum.
5. Count your Blessings: Incorporate a daily gratitude practice to help keep focused on the positive aspects of the holiday season. Every night before bed, in a small notebook or day planner, jot down a thankful thought or moment from the day.
6. Drink those Veggies: Make a daily smoothie to get in all the kale and spinach a busy holiday body might need. Add a banana or a handful of antioxidant-rich berries to make it sweet, and some heart-healthy nuts for good fats.
7. Daily Holiday Joke: Share a holiday-themed joke with friends or family every day of the season to keep spirits high.
8. Fresh Air Fridays: It is impossible to do what is not remembered. Use this fun alliteration to make a habit of spending time outside for some fresh air and Vitamin D. Greater Gainesville typically has cool, enjoyable temperatures throughout the early winter months. So, grab the laptop and work on the patio, enjoy lunch al-fresco or take the dog on a long walk after work.
9. Sip, Sip, Hooray: Festive lattes abound during the holiday season. Unfortunately, they can be loaded with added sugars and calories. Opt for herbal teas instead to stay hydrated and warm- without sacrificing that famous red cup moment.
10. He sees you when you’re sleeping: It is definitely not enough. Getting enough rest during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be tricky. Consider setting a bedtime alarm, a nightly reminder that it is time to put down the gift wrap and wind down for bed. Those tasks will still be there tomorrow.

The secret to a healthy holiday season is to balance celebration with self-care and good choices for body and mind. Adopting one or a few healthy habits might just be the difference that makes this merry season the best yet.

BONUS TIP FOR THE WARM FUZZIES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Less Random Acts, More Kindness: Think outside the Starbucks drive-through. Sure, the trend of paying for the next person in line is a nice gesture, but in fairness, they were getting coffee, anyway. Instead, make a habit of gifting a coffee gift card to a stressed and overextended holiday retail worker.