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WHAT'S NEW
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Damage control for the holiday season
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Take wellness breaks and feel great throughout the festivities.
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By Michele Drake
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It seems like there's no such thing as a perfectly balanced life during the holidays. Even the best schedule is thrown out of whack at this time of year.
How can we avoid sabotaging our health during the holidays? Here are a few wellness-inspired ideas that promote balance throughout the festive season:
Get moving
Staying active will combat stress, increase energy, improve your attitude, help you manage your weight and make it easier to return to your normal responsibilities once the festivities end. Set an activity "minimum" and stick to it. Be creative with exercise during this time of year, (i.e., walk around the mall a few times while deciding on that gift, take the stairs instead of the escalator.)
Load up on the good stuff
Worry less about the goodies that you may indulge in. Try to fill up with a lot of high-energy fuel. Get in the habit of looking for fruits, vegetables, protein, plenty of fibre and lots of water.
Stretch and relax
Opt for a few simple stretches and perform them each morning and evening. As you are executing them, remind yourself to keep your attitude flexible. Laugh as often as you can, no matter what catastrophe may threaten your well-laid plans.
Write a wish list
What do you want to accomplish this holiday season? Skiing, family walks around the neighbourhood to enjoy the decorations, getting enough sleep, staying within a budget. Most of us don't stop to consider what would make our holiday experience fulfilling; as a result, we feel out of control - a key contributor to stress.
Prepare beforehand
Shopping isn't the only thing that you can get a head-start on. Locate great hiking trails, find some heart-friendly recipes, book a relaxing activity (massage prior to the holiday cook-fest, or schedule time to read a favourite book when the troops have left). Just one or two health-enhancing activities will make a world of difference.
Find a holiday buddy
Don't face the toughest time of year alone. Call on a friend or family member to take a walk or go to the gym with you.
Examine your body for stress
Manage your stress by simply stopping what you are doing when you become overwhelmed and stand up tall. Close your eyes and quickly scan your body for tension or fatigue. Focus on tense areas and, mentally, try to relax them. Breathe deeply. If possible, take a 10-minute power nap.
Be thankful
One of the finest ways to salvage your sanity during challenging times is to focus less on what's going wrong and more on what's going right.
Happy, healthy holidays!
Chat about your holiday plans with other readers in our forums.
Michele Drake is a Toronto-based fitness consultant. She is certified with a long list of associations including the Canadian Personal Trainers Network, CanFitPro and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. She is also the founder and creator of a pre- and post-natal fitness program Healthy Me, Healthy You.
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