With the excitement and busyness of the holiday season around the corner, it’s important to remember to prioritize your health. While it’s important to slow down and enjoy the season of celebration, joy and indulgence, being mindful of your health is also key. 

6 Quick Tips for A Health Holiday

1. Schedule time for your workouts

The holiday season can get busy fast, but treating your workouts like non-negotiable appointments ensures they don’t get overlooked. Remaining intentional with your workout goals and routine is of the utmost importance. Whether you’re choosing a morning yoga session or a brisk evening walk, carve out time for movement each day! Even if you can only spare 15 minutes, remind yourself that something is better than nothing and every little bit will help you manage that holiday stress. Pro tip: Plan ahead! Put movement on your calendar, just like you do with all of your festivities. If you write it down, especially as part of a schedule, you're almost twice as likely to actually do it.

2. Make it a family affair

Spending the holidays with your loved ones and people you care about is important! This year, try and incorporate physical activity into your family traditions. Organize a post-walk meal, a friendly game of flag football, or purchase a guest pass and workout with a family member at The Nook! Making it a family affair can make it fun and memorable. Staying active throughout the holidays shouldn’t be a chore! Staying active is better with a buddy. 

3. Set realistic goals

It’s important to be flexible with your fitness goals throughout the holidays. Instead of striving for a perfect workout schedule, aim to incorporate some kind of physical activity into your days. The holiday season is a great time to slow down and make memories with those you don’t typically see all year round.  Find time to celebrate small wins along the way. Maybe you go to the gym every single day, but you decide to take a walk through the neighborhood one morning with your family instead. Or don't hit 'pause' on your diet completely, but instead find ways to be cognizant of things like portion control without feeling guilty.

4. Prioritize sleep and rest

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be difficult to be still. However, studies continue to show the importance of sleep in both physical and mental health. Try your best to stick to a consistent bedtime routine and don't be afraid to push that snooze button once or twice. Not only can getting quality rest help your energy levels, but it can actually boost your immune system and decrease stress. No matter how much fun you're having, the holidays can be overwhelming. Try scheduling some downtime to recharge your body and your mind.

5. Be a morning person

It may seem easier said than done, but try to get into a good morning routine during the holidays. Starting your day off even a few minutes early allows you to jumpstart things in a positive way. Use this time to read a few pages of a book, do 5 minutes of living room yoga, or even just enjoy a coffee at home while your making your to-do list for the day. These things will help you stay grounded and even potentially allow you time back to check off an extra task. We've all had moments where we crawl into bed at night and think "I haven't stopped moving all day!". So, ensure you don't lost your opportunity for a 'pause' by taking it at the beginning of the day vs. trying to find time between the chaos.

6. Stay extra hydrated

While it may be #6 on this list, it's arguably the most important AND the easiest to accomplish. Staying properly hydrated during the holidays can serve a number of purposes. First, there's portion control. While water should not be used as meal replacement, drinking water throughout the day will naturally help reduce hunger cues before big meals. It even helps to offset the effects of too much salt, helping to combat those festive foods. Second, when you're hydrated, blood has an easier time being pumped through your body. This is important because when your heart doesn't have to work as hard, it can actually makes you feel less tired and worn down at the end of those long days. Get in the habit of carrying around a water bottle with you and set a goal to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day.

Looking for more ways to stay in a routine this holiday season? Explore some of the group class and membership opportunities at Spooky Nook Fitness. Let us help you meet your fitness goals. No matter your interests or fitness level, The Nook has a way for you to have fun and stay in shape! Schedule a strategy session with our fitness team today. Together, we can create a plan to help you crush your fitness goals!