The holiday season is filled with family, friends and plenty of fun. However, the holiday season can also be filled with health decisions that make things a little bit more difficult when you flip the calendar page.
Taking the time to get your health back on track after the holidays can be hard, but it’s far easier to undo two months of poor eating than a year of poor eating. I’m here to help!
Stay Hydrated
Did you know that up to 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated? Drinking water is not just part of a healthy daily routine, but one of the things that can completely transform your body, mood and health. Dehydration can be subtle and occur in any age group. Unfortunately, many people do not feel thirsty until they are already dehydrated. If you are experiencing any of the signs below, there’s a good chance you are dehydrated:
- Severe thirst
- Infrequent urination
- Dark-colored urine
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Confusion
If you are dehydrated for an extended period of time, you are at increased risk of urinary and kidney problems in the future. To replenish your fluids and stay healthy this year, drink plenty of fluids and eat water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. Drink extra water when you are exercising to avoid losing too many fluids.
Eat Plenty of Fiber and Antioxidants
A healthy diet is one of the best ways to get your health back on track. Eat foods that are low in sugar and rich in fiber. It’s also a great idea to up your intake of cancer-fighting antioxidants. Which foods are both delicious, healthy and rich in fiber? Some of our favorites include:
- Lentils
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Berries
- Avocados
- Popcorn (hold the butter!)
- Whole grains
- Apples
- Pears
Fiber helps to promote a healthy weight and control your blood sugar. It also helps to reduce your bad cholesterol and lower your chance of gastrointestinal cancer. Fiber can get your health back on track and keep it on track in the future!
Move Your Body
Another great way to get your health back on track after the holidays is by moving it. If you haven’t exercised since the start of quarantine in March, start with low-impact exercises to avoid injury. As you continue building strength and fitness, you can explore the many high-impact exercises available to you. If you need extra encouragement, find a workout partner! Friends and family members who are also looking to take better care of their health can help to hold you accountable and make exercise more fun.
Some of the best ways to work out with your friends include:
- Dance class
- Group fitness classes
- A snowball fight
- Walking your dogs together
- Going bowling
- Jumping rope
- Dancing
- Going for a walk to the park
Brooktree Consulting can help you find or customize exercise routines that won’t even feel like exercise. You can also sign up for Virtual Private Training sessions for added motivation. It can be tough to start getting your exercise schedule back on track after a couple of months, but once you start feeling and seeing results it will be easy to stay on track.
Fix Your Sleep Schedule
When you’re on vacation, it is tempting to stay up late and sleep in every morning. Now that you want to get your health back on track after the holidays, fixing your sleep schedule is one way to get off to a great start. When you don’t get enough sleep, your brain and health suffer. A lack of sleep can make it hard to concentrate and remember things. Your heart can also have trouble regulating blood pressure and blood sugar when you don’t get enough shut-eye.
While there are many different factors that can lead to poor sleep, fixing your sleep schedule is worth the effort. To get your health back on track and fix your sleep schedule:
- Avoid caffeine and stimulants that might keep your body awake
- Start a sleep routine that creates a division between your day and your sleep
- Practice meditation or other non-phone methods to start calming your mind down at the end of the day
- Make sure that your bedroom is a comfortable oasis where you relax
- Avoid doing work or other tasks in the bedroom that can make it difficult to separate between sleep and other activities
Get Your Body Back on Track with Help from Brooktree Consulting
My Lifestyle Coaching program focuses on improving your integrative health. From boosting your immunity to helping you get healthy sleep, we can apply several methods to improve your quality of life.
If you need help getting back on track after the holidays, I am here to help. Consider scheduling a Lifestyle Health Coaching consultation with me and I’ll suggest the right program for you.
