If we had to pick words that we associate with the holidays, health and fitness would have to be some of the absolute last most of us would normally choose. Holiday treats and cold weather aren’t exactly a recipe for success in that regard, so it makes sense why we may plump up a little.
This is the recipe every single year; once New Year’s Day comes around, we’re all vowing to lose 10 or 15 pounds along with various other resolutions. Some of us accomplish it, but most of us don’t. If you’re sick of your weight yo-yoing year after year, then our tips in our latest blog may help!
Make Hygiene A Top Priority
At first glance, it may seem odd for our first tip to be about hygiene. After all, excess weight is most often associated with diet and exercise. However, the pandemic has been a global wake-up call for the importance of hygiene.
Those who contract COVID-19 can experience a wide range of health problems that can linger long after the initial infection. This could derail your health or prove fatal if you aren’t careful. This holiday season, ensure you use good hygiene at all times to reduce your risk of illness.
Manage Your Stress
Another area of health that is too often ignored is the role of stress in our lives. Stress causes long periods of inflammation in the body and can worsen our decision-making skills. More and more of our lives each day are coated in stress, leading to chronic conditions and shorter lifespans.
Obviously, this may be a stressful time given the pandemic. You may only be able to avoid so much stress, but every little bit could count to keeping the pounds off.
Here are a few tips for keeping your stress levels to a minimum:
- Plan ahead
- Reach out to friends and family (safely!)
- Keep gatherings small (or digital)
Set Yourself Clear Boundaries (But Be Kind!)
The number one power that you will need to cultivate is willpower and strategies to reach your goals. To do this, you will have to set clear boundaries with yourself. Either mentally or through writing, set boundaries for yourself based on what your goal is. Here, it may help to discuss strategy with a doctor or physician.
When practicing your willpower, remember to be kind to yourself if you mess up. Sometimes, we are mentally tough to ourselves but are kind to our loved ones. By being kind and encouraging to yourself, you may find it easier to stick to your goals.
No Gym? No Problem!
Right now, due to the pandemic, many gyms across the country have had to close. Regular gym-goers now have to make do at home, leading many to just drop their routine altogether. You don’t want that to be you.
Luckily, there are dozens of ways that you can still break a sweat without a gym. Partially due to the pandemic, there are a plethora of apps and online workouts that you can use. In addition, there are many gadgets and tools you can use in your home.
Don’t Be Too Strict!
To stay healthy, too many people will go to extremes to make progress. Despite research suggesting this strategy does not work, people still try to use extreme asceticism to reach goals.
Instead, be realistic with your goals. That way, you can work up to your goal without burning yourself out. Remember, small progress over time is better than making huge leaps at once.
Keep A Close Eye On Sugar
Sugar and Christmas seem like a match made in heaven, but it can be the fastest way to derail your health and even your happiness. Too much sugar can have an adverse effect on your body and your mental health. Excess sugar has been linked to the following health issues:
- Weight Gain
- Acne
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Depression
- Skin Aging
- Fatty Liver
- Kidney Disease
If it helps, try to keep tabs on your sugar intake by using a tracker. Beware: there’s added sugar in more products than you may think. Take a second to glance at the nutrition labels to ensure you aren’t taking in too much sugar.
Healthonomic is Here to Help
For a happier, healthier 2021, choose Healthonomic as your go-to primary care clinic. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
