12 Days of Christmas health: Your festive wellness guide

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Christmas: picture: pexels

This holiday season, give yourself the ultimate gift, a healthier, happier you. The festivities may be filled with indulgent treats, late-night parties, and endless to-dos, but that doesn’t mean your wellness has to take a backseat.

This 12-day Christmas health guide offers simple, fun, and festive ways to keep your body and mind thriving through the holidays. From smart eating hacks and stress-busting tips to staying active amid the celebrations, we’ve got your ultimate roadmap to a balanced and joyful season. Let’s make this your healthiest holiday yet.

Plan: To avoid stress during the festive period, the Paycare publication suggests that you use a diary or phone calendar to organise events and tasks. It is advised that you avoid taking on too much, and ask guests to bring desserts or decorations if you’re planning on hosting a dinner party. This will lessen the load on your side.
Take care of yourself: The above source also mentions that during the Christmas countdown, it’s important to prioritise self-care and avoid getting caught up in others’ fun ideas. If your calendar is already full of planned events, consider booking something in advance or setting aside a free day or two.
Sleep enough: According to Incrediwear, sleep hygiene involves implementing strategies to improve sleep quality, such as establishing a consistent sleep routine, avoiding screens 60 minutes before bed, and eliminating caffeine later in the day.
Lend a helping hand: Helping others benefits everyone, you can make the world a better place through small acts of kindness like shopping for elderly neighbours, donating to causes, or volunteering at local food banks.
Limit alcohol consumption: Now this one can be a tricky one considering that the festive season is one time when most people drink alcohol more than they would during the year. However, it’s important that you discipline yourself and drink less. “Eating a nutritious meal before drinking helps to slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream,” states Nicholson Health and Wellness.
Move: The above source claims that during the festive season, adults should engage in 30 minutes of daily exercise to burn Christmas calories release endorphins, and encourage their family and friends to join in.
Rest: Christmas is a stressful event, so set aside time for happy activities like reading, exercising, or meditation to feel relaxed and energised.
Stay safe: During this time you and your household should consider implementing robust security systems, reviewing locks, considering security cameras, reviewing insurance policies, and eliminating obvious signs of absence, such as an overflowing mailbox, to prevent potential loss, suggests Big Yellow Safety.
Protect your skin from heat: For those in warm regions, you must guard your skin from the sun as you are likely to the outside basking in the warmth of the season.
Stay connected: Christmas offers an excellent chance to reconnect with loved ones, whether in person or via phone, especially when family members are away, therefore embrace this time. Do this by being connected to all your loved ones as much as you can.
Reflect: Find time to reflect on your year’s achievements, accomplishments, and enjoyable moments, regardless of size, and appreciate your efforts and how far you’ve come.
Set the tone for next year: Use this time to set goals, and assess changes for the New Year, allowing for the start of new challenges and improvements.