The holidays are officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to pay special attention to your health.
From stress to unhealthy foods, there are so many factors that can impact your health during this time of the year. With that being said, there are a few different things you can do to protect your health during the holidays, so let’s go over some of the ways that you can incorporate wellness into your festivities.
Special Considerations for the Holidays
While rehabilitation is our main focus at Reunion, we also place an emphasis on overall health and wellness. There are a few different things we recommend you do during the holidays to make sure that you’re thinking about both your mental and physical health.
Let’s go over some of our top recommendations that you can incorporate into your holiday festivities.
Food, Food, Food!
Food plays a pivotal role in many holiday celebrations, bringing people together and creating cherished memories. However, this festive season also presents an opportunity to prioritize your personal wellness. While it's completely acceptable to have your favorite holiday cookie, it's essential to find ways to maintain balance in your diet and overall health during this time.
One of the most effective strategies to protect your well-being over the holidays is to modify traditional recipes to make them healthier without sacrificing flavor. For instance, consider creating a no-sugar-added apple pie. This can be done by using naturally sweet ingredients, such as ripe apples, and incorporating spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the flavor, rather than relying on added sugars.
Try this "The Best No-Sugar-Added Apple Pie" recipe by Amanda Holstein that promises to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt!
In addition to modifying recipes, maintaining a balanced approach to nutrition is crucial during the holidays. Be sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as this can help curb hunger and prevent overeating.
Pay attention to your protein and fiber intake, as these nutrients help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the temptation to indulge excessively in sugary treats. Prioritizing whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can contribute to a more nutritious holiday season and support your overall wellness goals.
Mindfulness
It’s no secret that the holidays can be a stressful time. Stress can significantly impact your health, so it’s important to make sure that you find ways to remain calm. If you find that you’re constantly getting sick during the holidays, your stress may be having more of an impact on you than you realize.
The good news is that there are so many different ways you can reduce stress!
At Reunion, we love teaching our patient mindfulness techniques. Consider researching different mindfulness options, such as this guided meditation, that you can use during stressful holiday moments.
Taking some time to meditate, do yoga, or listen to a calming podcast are all great ways that you can incorporate mindfulness into your holiday season. Don’t be afraid to try out a few different options and see which ones work for you - you might be surprised at what you enjoy and the benefits you receive!
Reducing stress is one of the best ways that you can protect your health during the holidays. Another great way to take care of yourself is through exercise…
Exercise
Staying inside and decorating cookies is a great holiday activity, but it’s also important to get outside! Getting enough exercise will not only benefit your physical health, but it can be great for your mental health.
Consider finding ways that you can incorporate your favorite parts of the holidays into your exercise routine, such as listening to holiday music while on a run or going on a walk to look at Christmas lights.
The holidays are the perfect time to encourage your family to join you as you exercise. At Reunion, we’re all about getting the whole family involved in wellness activities. If your family is home for the holidays, consider planning some physical activities that you can enjoy together.
Not sure which group exercises are best for your family? Check out this blog post for some creative ideas.
Staying Healthy
Sickness is common during the holidays and there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. Washing your hands regularly, wearing a mask around others who are sick, and taking time to rest are all good ways to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself.
If you know that someone has been sick, it may be best for you to postpone plans until they’re feeling better. You should never feel bad about prioritizing your own health, so don’t be afraid to stay safe and adjust your plans to protect your wellness.
So, what else can you do to stay healthy during the holidays?
Now is the perfect time of the year to make an appointment for a wellness visit with your doctor. While you’re there, consider asking about some additional ways that you can support your immune system.
At Reunion, we understand that staying healthy is about more than just avoiding germs. In order to focus on your wellness, you should be thinking about your physical and mental health.
The Holidays at Reunion
At Reunion, we understand the holidays can be a difficult time to be in rehab. Because of this, we do everything we can to make sure our patients are comfortable and have opportunities to participate in holiday fun.
From support groups to festive activities, there are so many different ways that we incorporate the holidays into our rehabilitation here at Reunion. We’d love to share more information with you about this time of the year and how we celebrate at our hospitals.
If you’d like to learn more about what the holidays are like at our Reunion locations, feel free to send us a message or give us a call today.
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