10 Tips for Prioritizing Your Health This Holiday Season

With the holidays around the corner, you're likely seeing a big jump in the number of tasks on your to-do list, along with planning vacations and outings with family and friends. Since it can be challenging to keep your health top of mind during this festive but busy time, integrating these healthy holiday tips into your day can help. While these may seem easy, they can make a surprisingly big impact on your physical and mental health.

1. Prioritize Physical Activity

Staying active can help bring balance to your mind and body during the holiday chaos. Even just a few minutes of moderate physical activity can help you sleep better and reduce anxiety.¹

Look for creative and cost-effective ways to integrate fitness into your schedule, such as stretching during holiday movies or walking briskly when gift hunting.¹ Park a little further away from your destination or take the stairs at work. When going to look at holiday lights, suggest a walk through a festive neighborhood rather than a drive.

2. Practice Mindful Eating

Whether you're tempted to share sweet treats at the office, sample cocktails at holiday parties or make decadent meals at home, try to be mindful about what you choose. Healthy foods are better for your immunity, digestive system and overall well-being.¹

Being more mindful about what you eat doesn't have to be expensive. If you go to a party, eat the veggies and fruits first so you're less hungry. Create healthier versions of your favorite holiday recipes.

Finally, try not to center your get-togethers around food. Instead of going to a restaurant, go for a walk in a festive neighborhood.

3. Stay Hydrated

When you're distracted by holiday tasks, it's easy to forget healthy habits like staying hydrated. When you're not hydrated, you'll have less energy, feel sicker and be more likely to have headaches.²

It's not expensive to stay hydrated.³ Make it a habit to drink water when you first wake up, before a meal and when you go to bed. Try "spicing up" your water with lemon slices, cucumber slices, basil or ginger. Bring a water bottle with you, whether you're going to work or a holiday outing, and use an app to track how much you drink.

Electrolyte drinks can also help if you're working out a lot or outside on a hot day where you might get dehydrated or sick.⁴ Just remember that if you're not exercising intensely, you might not want to make electrolyte drinks part of your daily routine as they can add a lot of calories and sugars.

4. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep can help you better manage stress during the holidays.² Aim for seven to eight hours every night. You can make sleep a priority by going to bed and getting up around the same time every day, avoiding screens (like your phone or TV) later in the day, exercising earlier in the day and limiting your caffeine.² Making your room darker and quieter can also help.

5. Manage Stress

Stress can ruin your happy holiday vibe, so try these stress management techniques:

• Take frequent breaks to relax.²
• Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation.² You can even find apps on your phone to help.
• Make sure you set realistic expectations so you set yourself up for success.²
• Don't be shy about asking for help with everything from meal planning to gift wrapping.²
• Small acts of kindness, like donations, can reduce stress.⁵
• Keep a gratitude journal. Try writing three things you're thankful for at the end of each day.⁶

6. Wash Your Hands Frequently

Sharing good cheer with friends and family doesn't have to mean sharing germs, too. Washing your hands frequently is a cost-effective way to help protect yourself from cold and flu viruses.⁷ In fact, that's the whole reason why National Handwashing Awareness Week takes place every December.

Use lots of soap and water when you wash your hands, and try to wash them for at least 20 seconds. Proper handwashing can reduce colds by 16% to 21% and diarrheal illnesses by up to 40%.⁷ If you're out, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a great and inexpensive alternative.⁸

And while you're looking at ways to cut down your risk of catching illnesses, go ahead and get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, too, if you're not up to date.⁹ Ask your doctor what the recommended schedule is for you.

7. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Another way to stay healthy during the holidays is by watching how much alcohol you drink.² It can be tempting to drink too much, especially if you're going to a lot of holiday parties.¹⁰ But limiting alcohol consumption can actually be more cost-effective, especially if you're buying drinks. Try less expensive alternatives like water, or a holiday drink like apple cider or alcohol-free eggnog.

8. Stay Warm and Beat the Cold Weather Blues

Plummeting temperatures can cause a host of health problems and spark depression. So look for cost-effective ways to stay warm and beat those cold weather blues.

Make sure your home's heating system is in good shape, and keep it comfortable inside (for many, that's 64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit¹¹). Wear warm clothes and shoes when you're outside, and keep plenty of warm drinks and food on hand. Warming up your car before you get on the road and stocking your vehicle with a reliable survival kit can also reinforce safety and comfort this winter.

But the winter blues can also be about being stuck inside, so make sure you're getting plenty of natural light.¹¹ Work near windows, and try to take walks if the weather allows.

9. Stay Safe While Traveling

The holidays can bring a lot of opportunities for travel, whether you're driving or flying. A few cost-effective precautions can help keep you safer while you're out and about.⁹ For example, simply wearing seatbelts, keeping young children in car seats and checking weather conditions before you hit the road can make a difference. Pack clothes that are appropriate for the climate you'll be traveling to, and keep an emergency kit in your car just in case you get stranded.

10. Maintain Healthy Relationships

Maintaining healthy relationships during the holidays is vital.² In fact, connecting with friends and family can help you avoid holiday blues and loneliness.

But maintaining your relationships doesn't have to be expensive. You can have a movie night at home, for example, or go on a picnic together in the park when the weather is nice. Have a doggy play date, or enjoy a video reunion online if you live far apart.

The holidays can be stressful, between juggling obligations, work and still finding time for yourself. These tips can help keep your mental and physical health a priority, no matter what else is going on.

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Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news, and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.