“If we make it through December, everything’s gonna be alright I know.” ~ Merle Haggard
You don’t have to be a country music lover to appreciate these lyrics. Despite the undeniable excitement, love, and goodwill of the holiday season, it can cause major disruptions to people’s daily lives. As such, the holidays can take a toll on many women’s mental and physical well-being. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed as 2022 comes to a close, consider any of these 4 healthy living tips to get back on track after the holidays!
1) Diet Appropriately
After weeks of stuffing their faces with hearty casseroles and tasty sweets, nearly every person has come up with some sort of creative New Year’s resolution diet at some point in their lives. The problem is that most people think cutting back is the foolproof solution–an approach that is often unhealthy and wholly unsustainable.
“Although many people spend the days following the holidays crash dieting, you need to be very careful when taking this approach. While it is understandable that you want to lower your caloric intake, many of the most decadent holiday foods and treats are high in salt and sugar, but lacking in other key micronutrients. This can lead to imbalances that slow down normal bodily processes, only to be exacerbated when you rapidly reduce food consumption. The best approach for post-holiday dieting is to load up on water, lean proteins, and fresh fruits/vegetables, supplementing them with a well-rounded mineral treatment tailored to your body’s needs.” ~ Vanessa Cabrera of Las Vegas Mobile IV.
2) Take Some “Me” Time
For many, the holidays are a time of give, give, give. And while this is undoubtedly rewarding, the constant hustle of trying to put a smile on everyone else’s face can take a mental toll. As such, the time after the holidays is a great opportunity to get a little selfish and focus on yourself. A mani pedi, a decadent spa day with calming candles and moisturizing goat soap milk, hiring a housecleaner to come and help with post-holiday cleanup, or simply going out to your favorite restaurant are a few ways to destress and put yourself first.
3) Declutter Your Home
Decorations that have to come down, empty boxes, piles of wrapping paper, yet another round of sweaters and socks–the clutter in your home comes under the microscope during the holidays. Rather than spend more money and contribute to the exploding self storage industry, it is a great idea to simply let some things go this holiday season. Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol is statistically significant in people living in cluttered homes, so making a trip to Goodwill could do wonders for your mental well-being after the holidays.
4) Learn a New Skill
The holidays sort of feel like closing the book on a little chapter of your life. With the ability to start fresh in a new year, it represents the perfect opportunity to “skill up” and commit yourself to becoming adept in something you have always wanted. Whether it is earning that certificate that will qualify you for a work promotion, taking those piano lessons you have continually postponed, or learning a new language, adding a new skill to your arsenal can provide you with a tremendous sense of accomplishment after the holidays.
Take Control of Your Life With These 4 Post-Holiday Healthy Living Tips
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can cause many women’s lives to go off-roading, resulting in significant mental and physical stress. If this is the case for you, consider any of the 4 healthy living tips listed above to refocus and regroup after this year’s holiday season!
If you’re looking to keep on top of your health this year, it’s definitely worth getting a check-up with your local health professional. There are plenty of services out there, including a walk in clinic which is perfect for those who need a quick health check while on the go.
