11 Ways to have a happy, healthy holidays
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 15, 2022
The holidays can be a hectic
and stressful time. That's all the more reason to keep our health and wellness
goals front and centre.
11 Ways to have a happy, healthy holidays
Posted by Medavie Blue Cross on December 15, 2022
The holidays can be a hectic
and stressful time. That's all the more reason to keep our health and wellness
goals front and centre.
In this season of giving, the best gift we can give ourselves is the gift of self-care. That's because putting our health and wellness first allows us to replenish our energy reserves and build mental resilience.
Here are some ways to take the stress out of the season and add more joy.
Get moving
Bundle up for a walk around your neighbourhood to see all the twinkling lights, build a snowman or have a fun snowball fight with family and friends. A few minutes in the sunshine also raises vitamin D levels and is good for our bones, heart, and holiday mood. Plus, it will boost your mood and your immune system.
Sleep well
Getting a good night's sleep will not only help you dream of sugar plums, but it will also help you to rest and rejuvenate to be at your best this holiday season. A decent amount of shut eye at any time of the year puts you in a better mood and sharpens your memory and focus. In the long term, adequate rest also helps lower your risk of heart disease.
Give thanks
Practice an attitude of gratitude. Write down the things you are grateful for, and let your friends, family members, co-workers, and colleagues know how much you appreciate them, even if by a simple text message. A few kind words can go a long way in making the holidays merry and bright for everyone.
Get creative
The holidays don't need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Thoughtful gifts are often less expensive. So, get creative and see if your family and friends would want to do an alternative to traditional gifts, like sharing gifts of homemade food or spending time together. It will help everyone stick to their budget and release stress.
Give thanks
Practice an attitude of gratitude. Write down the things you are grateful for, and let your friends, family members, co-workers, and colleagues know how much you appreciate them, even if by a simple text message. A few kind words can go a long way in making the holidays merry and bright for everyone.
Get creative
The holidays don't need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Thoughtful gifts are often less expensive. So, get creative and see if your family and friends would want to do an alternative to traditional gifts, like sharing gifts of homemade food or spending time together. It will help everyone stick to their budget and release stress.
Do a digital detox
Put away the laptop and your phone and enjoy a day without distraction. A quick digital detox is a great opportunity to reduce stress and focus more on interaction with others. Spend time baking and decorating holiday cookies, cuddling with your kids and pets, or playing in the snow. Spending fewer hours in front of a screen will help make this the most wonderful time of the year for you and your family.
Eat healthy
A lot of holiday customs are centred around food but it’s best to enjoy holiday sweets and treats in moderation. Choose fresh fruit as a substitute for candy and limit fats, salt, and sugary foods. In other words, dig out the popcorn for a family movie night; just go easy on the toppings.
Do a digital detox
Put away the laptop and your phone and enjoy a day without distraction. A quick digital detox is a great opportunity to reduce stress and focus more on interaction with others. Spend time baking and decorating holiday cookies, cuddling with your kids and pets, or playing in the snow. Spending fewer hours in front of a screen will help make this the most wonderful time of the year for you and your family.
Eat healthy
A lot of holiday customs are centred around food but it’s best to enjoy holiday sweets and treats in moderation. Choose fresh fruit as a substitute for candy and limit fats, salt, and sugary foods. In other words, dig out the popcorn for a family movie night; just go easy on the toppings.
Indulge
You can't properly care for others if you don't care for yourself first. Spoil yourself with some "me time." Read a book. Get pampered with a massage or manicure. Set a half hour or so each day for yoga or meditation. Inhale the festive fun and exhale the stressors. You're worth it!
Have fun
Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain function, and stimulate creativity. Build a snow fort. Play a game. Have a dance party in your living room — and rock around the tree with your kids to the jingle bell rock.
Indulge
You can't properly care for others if you don't care for yourself first. Spoil yourself with some "me time." Read a book. Get pampered with a massage or manicure. Set a half hour or so each day for yoga or meditation. Inhale the festive fun and exhale the stressors. You're worth it!
Have fun
Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain function, and stimulate creativity. Build a snow fort. Play a game. Have a dance party in your living room — and rock around the tree with your kids to the jingle bell rock.
Give to others
Do your part to keep the spirit of giving alive this season. Contribute to a food bank, a homeless shelter or mental wellness centre that could use your help this year. Charity does your heart good and helps increase social connections. Don't have a lot of extra cash to give? Offer your time. Volunteering in person can be just as, if not more, helpful for some organizations in need.
Let it go
Focus only on what you can control. Don’t beat yourself up when you skip a workout or worry when you can’t find everything on your child’s wish list. Destressing and recharging your batteries are the best way to truly enjoy the season.
Listen to music
Create a relaxing playlist of favourite holiday tunes and listen while you wrap your gifts or trim your tree. It’ll raise your spirits and chase away those seasonal blues.
Warm wishes for a healthy, happy holiday season. And take good care of yourselves.
Medavie Blue Cross is a premier all-in-one carrier that provides health, dental, travel, life and disability benefits and administers federal and provincial government-sponsored health programs. Together with Medavie Health Services, we are part of Medavie, a health solutions partner committed to improving the wellbeing of Canadians. We are in the...