A few days from now, it will be the holidays. That means home-cooked feasts, drinking, and long periods of relaxation. While these things may sound like the ultimate contentment, there is one caveat to them — they can lead to weight gain which increases risks of chronic diseases. Not to mention, we’re still in a pandemic.
As early as now, you must have strategies to prevent weight gain and sickness from happening. It’s also essential to stay healthy during holidays so that when January comes, you’ll still be in tiptop shape when you get back to your solopreneur’s grind. Without further ado, here are tips so you can stay healthy for the holidays and after.
1. Get a flu shot
Flu is common during the holidays because the virus survives longer in less humid and cold air. Plus, transmission is easier because everyone is spending more time indoors. Get your flu vaccine ASAP so you can enjoy your holidays without being sick or weak due to adverse effects.
2. Wash your hands often
You’ll be touching a lot of objects, especially during your holiday shopping spree. It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly when you have the chance to prevent disease-causing bacteria and viruses from infecting you. Better yet, carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol wherever you go.
3. Follow a workout schedule and move a lot
If you have fitness equipment in your home, make sure to maximize them and get some exercise every day. You can even invest in fitness apparel designed for outdoor winter jogging. After your meals, it’s recommended to go on short walks to burn the extra calories you’ve consumed.
4. Spend some time alone
Even if holidays are the time for relaxation, you can still be under a lot of stress. A burnt meal, arguments with family members, or hearing a Christmas song repeatedly can take a toll on your mental health. Schedule a part of your day in which you can be alone with your thoughts.
5. Eat mindfully and stay hydrated
It’s easy to overindulge in food during holidays, especially if the meals and snacks are very appetizing to look at. But that doesn’t mean you need to abstain from the seasonal treats to stay fit. Watching your portion sizes, sneaking in vegetables when available, and using holiday recipes with healthier alternatives is as effective as going on a diet.
You should also drink a lot of water along with your alcohol. The best way to drink alcohol healthily is to go for low-sugar beverages such as gin, vodka, rum, whiskey, and tequila while having water as your chaser.
6. Keep your healthy sleeping schedule
Only stay up late when necessary such as Christmas and New Year’s eve. You should still aim to wake up early while getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. This is the best way to keep your circadian rhythm when you transition back to work mode after the holidays.
7. Take advantage of seasonal activities
There are a lot of enjoyable things to do during winter. You can go skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, or even ice fishing. As mentioned, moving a lot during winter is one of the best strategies to stay healthy and in shape. So plan some recreational activities in advance.
If you’re planning to be out of town, see to it that there are fitness accommodations wherever you go. Better yet, bring a gym bag filled with all the things you need for your workouts.
Read more lifestyle tips for business owners here!
- How to Eat Healthily Even When You’re Busy Running Your Business
- 5-Minute Morning Routines That Will Make Your Day Better
- 7 Healthy Habits That Make It Easy for You to Sleep at Night
- The 8 Best Foods to Keep Your Energy Up for Solopreneur Tasks
- 9 Weekend Activities to Eliminate Stress for a Productive Next Week
