The time between Halloween and New Year’s Eve is packed with festivities. Being a part of these festivities means attending turkey dinners and buffets with multi-course meals as well as devouring eggnog and sugar cookies with your loved ones.

An important question that usually arises this time around is how to keep yourself fit and not deviate from the health goals you accomplished throughout the year. This blog will give you some useful tips on healthy holiday habits that you can adopt to maintain your lifestyle while having fun in the process.

6 Healthy Holiday Habits You MUST Take Up

1. Get Proper Sleep

When you don\’t get enough sleep, the hunger hormone in your body, known as ghrelin, activates. As a result, you feel hungrier than you usually would and are likely to eat anything in sight.

The best thing you can do for your body during the holidays is to give it enough time to rest. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Avoid staying up one night before to wrap all of the presents. The more well-rested you are, the less likely you are to eat out of stress and fatigue.

2. Eat A Healthy Breakfast

Before you host or head out to a holiday party at lunch or dinner, have a healthy breakfast at home. Take hearty foods like Greek yogurt, berries, flax seeds, avocado toasts and oatmeal for breakfast as you will be devouring unhealthy foods during the day. On days where you don’t have to attend any lunch or dinner soirees, avoid feasting on holiday food altogether.

3. De-Clutter Your Space

The more cluttered your kitchen space, the more likely you are to out. Clutter can make you feel less productive, unhappy and chaotic, causing you to overeat. As soon as your feast is over, clean up your kitchen. Store or giveaway any leftovers you need right away and set a designated area in your house for eating.

4. Don’t Skip Exercise

Sure, holidays can be hectic, but it is essential not to skip your workout. Plan your workouts beforehand. Take out some time from your day, even if it\’s only 15 minutes, to workout. Skip on intense training if you need to. Your only focus should be on burning some holiday calories, so you don\’t put on weight.

5. Give Away Unhealthy Leftovers

Make it a habit to give away unhealthy leftovers after each party. If you have foods like cakes and cookies in your house, you will be tempted to consume them. Distribute them among your guests as party favors or donate to homeless shelters and food banks. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

6. Keep Your Alcohol Intake in Check

Another essential healthy holiday habit is to keep your alcohol consumption in check. Many drinks don\’t only contain a lot of calories but can also make you feel hungrier, tempting you to eat more. Set a limit and do not have more than two glasses. Keep an alternative drink like water or club soda in your hand and keep sipping it, so you are not inclined to have alcohol.

Stay Fit, Have Fun!

Even though holidays are a time to enjoy, it is essential not to go overboard and destroy your health in the process. With these healthy holiday habits, you will be able to maintain your physique, weight and healthy lifestyle during the festivities.

If you need to see a physician for any reason during the festive season, please call irvingprimarycare.com at (469)262-5762 or visit the clinic website to book an appointment today.

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