Christmas is one of the best times of the year: the lights, the cosy evenings, drinks with friends and of course, the food! But trying to have a healthy Christmas can get a little bit overwhelming as well. We want to make sure we’re fitting as much fun as possible into the festive period but it’s important to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves as well. While it can be tempting to become one with your sofa this time of year, it’s not always good for our physical and mental health. So we’ve come up with a few ideas on how you can have a happy and healthy Christmas.
Healthy Christmas food might not be something you hear very often but it is definitely possible! Although the more fun parts of a Christmas dinner can be on the fattening side, there’s plenty of veg there too. Making sure you purchase seasonal and organic produce can make your healthy Christmas dinner possible.
Cheese is always a British favourite when it comes to Christmas food but rather than having cheese and biscuits, why not try cheese and apple to snack on? Cheese also works well with celery, carrots and grapes so you can add those to your Christmas food shopping list too.
Take a break! With so much Christmas food on offer at all times, it can be difficult to say no. However, simply taking a break from eating and maybe drinking a peppermint tea can help ease any strain on your stomach and prepare it for the next feast.
Getting out in the fresh air isn’t always top of the list when it comes to the Christmas festivities – especially if the weather is being particularly frightful. But getting off the sofa and off on a Christmas walk can really lift your spirits and work off some of the indulgent food. Going on a walk with your family is a much more fun excursion – and you could even make it a walk to the local pub so there’s more of a reason to get out there!
We spend so much of our lives looking at screens: when we wake up, at work, after work and then as our down time. One great thing to make sure you have a more mindful Christmas is to reduce screen time. There is a temptation to give in to scrolling through everyone’s festive photos but it’s so much more beneficial if you concentrate on making your own memories.
There’s always a temptation with social media to compete and one up other people that you see but it’s important to remind yourself to experience the now – especially when we’re with loved ones. Making a conscious effort to reduce screen time can seriously improve our mental health so why not turn it into an everyday practice?
It’s easy to get bogged down in the bad parts of life or the things that aren’t making you happy. Maybe work isn’t going how you thought it would or you’re struggling with a friendship or relationship. But one way to lift your spirits and realise how much good there is in your life is to write a list of things you’re thankful for. The year coming to an end can make you panic about what you’ve accomplished but by focussing on the good there is in your life, you get a more balanced view.
The same goes for looking towards next year! New year’s resolutions can be intimidating to write and even more daunting to work towards. Instead, why not try writing down small and manageable goals for the next year? It can be anything from making sure you go out for a daily walk or taking up a new hobby. By writing a small and comprehensive list of little things, it will make them seem more achievable and less daunting.
For more similar tips, why not check out our Manifestations blog for more ideas on how to make your dreams come true.
