Avoid Unpleasant Holiday “Gifts”
Thanksgiving is over and it’s officially the holiday season! Along with gaining gifts and treats, many, many of us also gain weight and colds and illnesses this time of year – and those are “gifts” no one wants!
How can it be avoided? Well, we’ll tell you!
- Eat well. It’s common to pack on 5-10 pounds during the holiday season, but there are ways you can eat both healthy and well! Know which foods are high in caloric content and low in nutrition. Don’t deprive yourself of such treats, but indulge in moderation.
- Stay active. Exercise is just as important during the holidays as any other time of the year. You should be active at least four to five times a week, preferably with some aerobic exercise every day.
- Prevent illness and injuries. Colds and the flu are most prevalent in the winter. Prevent them by washing your hands regularly and urging others to do the same.
- Travel safely. Whether you are going down the block or halfway across the world, follow extra precautions. Give yourself plenty of time in the additional holiday traffic.
- De-stress. Holidays can be a stressful time. Try to anticipate sources of stress and develop a plan to manage them.
- Help others. Depression and suicidality increase during the holidays. Watch for signs of depression among your friends and family. Take an active role to support those in need.
- Treat yourself. The holiday spirit is about helping others around you, but you also have to make time to take care of yourself. So treat yourself with something over the holidays. It may be something as simple as sleep.