How to Stay Healthy Over Christmas

Have your cake and eat it – but not too much

At this time of year, it’s all too easy to think ‘what the hell, I’ll diet in the New Year’ and overindulge over the festive period but this isn’t the healthiest approach. What you could try doing is accepting that you may indeed overindulge, or at least eat more during this period, but you don’t have to give up on healthy eating and exercise completely! Even if you're indulging more than you usually would, try to balance this out with healthy eating, incorporating fruit and vegetables into meals and drinking plenty of water. Mindful eating is another way of ensuring that you really appreciate richer, festive foods: try eating slowly, and really savour what you taste. 

It can also help to keep any treats tucked away in your cupboard - out of sight, out of mind! Leaving snacks dotted around and on display can make it very difficult to resist, making it far too easy to mindlessly graze when you’re not even hungry. 

Drink in moderation

The festive period is of course a time of merriment where we eat and drink the things we love. As with overindulging with food, you don’t have to overdo it with the fizz. Instead of overdrinking and picking up the pieces in January, be conscious of how many drinks you're having each day and take the time to enjoy every sip. Avoiding mixers and cocktails is a good place to start, as it’s easier to get carried away with fruity, sweet drinks. Instead, try sticking to a couple of straight spirits or glasses of good wine each day. 

Make time for exercise

It’s very easy to feel like letting go and forgetting about exercise until January, the notorious month for starting resolutions. While many people manage to stick to their resolutions (often concerning becoming healthier and exercising more), it’s easier to stick to your resolutions if you already have some sort of routine in place. Having an exercise routine, even if it’s just going for a daily 10 minute walk, is a great place to start and you can gradually increase your physical activity day by day so you don't feel so bad starting from scratch in the New Year. Make time for exercise, whatever form that might take. 

Take care of your mental health

The holiday season can be a difficult period for some people, struggling with loneliness and anxiety will be especially prevalent this year. Look after your mental health and reach out to others if you are able to. 2020 has been a tough year and our celebrations will look different as a result. Keep in touch with friends and relatives over the phone or video calls.