Festive Fitness

This upcoming holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and, often, indulgence. With all the festive activities and social events, it can be challenging to maintain your physical and mental health. However, with a bit of mindful planning, you can keep your skin, body, and mind in top shape while still enjoying the magic of the holiday season. Here are five essential tips to help you stay healthy during the holidays:

Stay Hydrated

Why It Matters: Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and can have a noticeable impact on your energy levels, and even your skin. During the holidays, we often consume more alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you. In addition, as cold and flu season come around, respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, COVID or the flu can often exacerbate dehydration, which can leave you feeling worse and prolong your illness. And lastly, as the weather cools down, we find ourselves indoors more often, and with indoor heating, the drier colder air can dry out your skin as well. Keeping your skin hydrated with a non-comedogenic moisturizer will help reduce redness, dryness and flaking of winter skin, to keep you looking your best during the holidays.

How to Do It: Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Balance out any dehydrating beverages with water, herbal teas, or infused water with fruits like lemon or berries. Importantly, make extra sure to drink sufficient fluids if you are fighting a cold or the flu, to help maximize recovery. For your skin, thicker moisturizers, such as creams or ointments, can provide better moisturization than lotions or gels. In addition, look for the word non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Why It Matters: The holiday season is notorious for rich, calorie-dense foods that can leave you feeling sluggish and guilty. While it’s fine to indulge occasionally, it’s important to balance festive treats with nutritious foods to support your overall health and energy levels, particularly during the cold and flu season.

How to Do It: Prioritize a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. Opt for healthier versions of your favorite holiday dishes—use less sugar if possible, swap cream for Greek yogurt, and include more veggies. Don’t skip meals; instead, enjoy smaller portions of indulgent foods and listen to your body’s hunger cues.

Winterize your skincare routine

Why It Matters: The combination of cold weather, indoor heating, and holiday stress can take a toll on your skin. This can result in dryness, irritation, and blemishes. Moreover, as cold and flu season come around, you may find yourself with some increased irritation and redness around your nose or mouth as a result of stuffed or runny noses and napkin use.

How to Do It: Maintain a consistent skincare routine with gentle cleansing and ample moisturizing. During the winter months, you may want to decrease the amount of exfoliating products you normally use, such as retinol, scrubs, peels or acids, as skin tends to dry out in the colder weather, which can lead to irritation with continued exfoliation. Thicker moisturizers, such as creams or ointments, can provide better moisturization than lotions or gels. In addition, look for the word non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores or cause breakout.

Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home. Additionally, protect your skin from harsh weather by wearing sunscreen and covering up when you’re outdoors.

Incorporate Physical Activity

Why It Matters: Holiday festivities can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, which may contribute to weight gain and lower energy levels. Regular exercise helps combat stress, improve mood, and maintain physical health.

How to Do It: Schedule regular physical activity into your holiday routine, whether it’s a brisk walk, some time at the gym, a home workout, or a seasonal activity like ice skating or hiking. Engage in activities you enjoy to make exercise feel less like a chore and more like a fun part of the festivities.

Manage Stress and Prioritize Self-Care

Why It Matters: The holiday season can be stressful with travel, social obligations, and financial pressures. Stress can negatively impact both mental and physical health, leading to issues such as insomnia, anxiety, and weakened immune function, which can result in frequent colds and illnesses.

How to Do It: Make time for relaxation and self-care. Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help manage stress. Prioritize sleep by maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a calming bedtime routine. Don’t hesitate to set boundaries and say no when needed to avoid overcommitting yourself.