How to have a healthy holiday vacation
Eating healthy is already hard to do, so trying to do the same during the holiday is even more difficult. Every time we visit family for the holidays, food and festivity abound. There are Christmas and New Year gatherings, and depending on where your family is from, there are fiestas for some places in December. If we’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on who you ask), there will be an occasional lechon.
This year I decided to make an effort to eat healthier. I also tried to squeeze in more physical activities in-between meat-heavy dinners and special occasions. My family in the province are heavy meat-eaters, so this was a challenge. Here are four things you can do to try and achieve a healthier holiday season:
- Stretch or light exercise in the morning.
- Take a walk with close family and friends during a party.
- Play with nieces and nephews.
- Sing your heart out during karoke!
Stretch or light exercise in the morning
One strategy that has helped was taking time in the morning to either do light exercise, or to do simple stretches. This helped me get warmed up for the new day. Though at my age, it has gotten be tired faster by the time my day ends, it still feels good to utilize some of the extra calories that I gain throughout the week.
Stretching regularly also keeps muscles lean and flexible. It also maintains a range of motion in your joints. Muscles that aren’t stretched and utilized won’t function well when you need them the most (if you need to run, lift, or do some other strenuous activity).
Take a walk with a close family member or friend
Probably like most people, I’m not necessarily close with all my friends or family members at a gathering. But I’m lucky to have a few whom I feel comfortable sharing certain details of my life with. Before or after eating, why not take a walk with one or two close friends or family members to catch up on life? For those of us with predominantly toxic family members, probably best to leave early and take a walk with people who actually value you and your time.
Walking eases joint pain, boosts immunity, and can even help lower cravings for sweets. Re-connecting with those you love also helps with your mental health too!
Play with “pamangkids” (nieces and nephews)
You may no longer have the energy of a child, but interacting with nieces and nephews keeps us physically and mentally fit! The other day I tried lifting my 6-year-old cousin while doing squats. NOT a good idea. Instead of that, I noticed that simply keeping up with my little cousins running around and having fun, was a great work out in itself.
Play is an ageless activity. It keeps our hearts healthy, and helps the “child at heart.”
Sing karoke with PASSION
This is best for people who have karaoke as one of their family’s go-to activities. If this is the case with you, show your friends and family the shining star that you are by standing and belting out your best “My Way.” You can go with Frank Sinatra’s rendition, or Usher’s “My Way.” Either way, work up your audience by working up a sweat!
Singing in general has shown many benefits to health including inducing relaxation, to improvements in breathing capacity, muscle tension and more.
Be creative during the holiday
This is just a few of the many things you can do to stay healthier during the busy rush and consumption of the holiday season. Take some time to add a few more to your own list.
What are some ways you try to eat and stay a bit healthier during the holidays?