Staying healthy during the holidays. Here's how.
CANANDAIGUA -- There’s no shortage of things to love about the holiday season.
Preparing — and eating — large, elaborate meals and desserts, and spending time with friends and loved ones are just a few of the festivities that make the holidays enjoyable. However, the same things that make the holidays so delightful can also compromise your health.
With a little effort and planning, you can participate in all the season has to offer without jeopardizing your health and well-being.
Stay active
It might be challenging to make time for a workout when your calendar is jam-packed with holiday events. It’s cold outside, you have decorating and party planning to do, or maybe you’re busy visiting with relatives. Daily exercise is crucial for your health.
Staying active gives you energy, reduces stress and tension, and, of course, helps mitigate some of the extra calories you may be consuming.
Make healthy food choices
The holidays, and all the delicious food that comes with them, make it easy to overindulge. Instead of restricting, just try to keep it balanced.
Add vegetables to your plate when possible. If you’re inclined to overeat around the holidays, determine how much food you’re comfortable consuming and stop eating when you’re full.
Make time for self-care
Whether you’re caught up in cooking, holiday shopping or socializing, don’t put your needs on the back-burner. The stress of the season can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being. Take some time off to unplug and unwind — doing at least one thing per day that helps center you and makes you truly happy. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, too!
Get vaccinated
People are traveling and spending more time around others, often indoors, during this time of the year. As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic amid flu season, do your part and assist your immune system and the health and safety of those around you by getting vaccinated.
About this series
Matt Sproul is chief of the Canandaigua Emergency Squad (CES), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit unit that receives no tax-based support. CES responds to more than 6,000 calls per year serving the towns of Canandaigua, Bristol, Hopewell, Gorham and East Bloomfield and the village of Bloomfield. East Bloomfield Volunteer Ambulance is a division of CES. For more information, go to canandaiguaes.org. If you have questions or want to get involved, send emails to info@canandaigues.org.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: A Word from Chief Matt Sproul: Tips for staying healthy for holidays
