The holidays can be, to put it lightly, totally crazy. You’re shopping. You’re baking. You’re celebrating, and maybe drinking a lot of mulled wine or champagne. You’re decorating. You’re cleaning the house for holiday guests. You’re hosting parties. It’s a lot, and it’s easy to get swept up in the madness of the season and forget to take care of yourself.
Don’t forget about your health and wellness goals during the holiday season! You can keep yourself on track and feeling energized without spending hours in the gym or skipping the holiday treats you love — promise. We’ve got some easy, trackable wellness tips and practices to get you through the season thanks to Aveda’s Wellness Coordinator Jessica, who manages our onsite Wellness Center at our HQ in Minnesota.
EXERCISE
If you’re too busy to spend an hour on the treadmill or hit up your favorite yoga class, don’t worry. You can squeeze in some exercise when it works for you, and remember, even 15 minutes can make a difference. Try one of these short and sweet activities a few times a week.
- Take a 15-minute walk. Bundle up if it’s chilly, and snag some bonus points if you go with your pet!
- Do 30 minutes of cardio or strength training. You can easily find fun, challenging workouts on YouTube and get your workout in from home.
- Do 60 squats. Break it up into three segments and you’ll barely even notice how hard you’re working!
- Go to a workout class. Bring a friend and do some holiday shopping (or brunching) when you’re done.
HEALTHY EATING
‘Tis the season for cookies, snacks and treats! Don’t be afraid to indulge in the things you love most about the holidays, whether that’s eggnog, champagne or Christmas cookies. Here’s how to keep things balanced.
- Drink 16oz more water than you usually do. Sometimes when you think you’re hungry, you’re actually just thirsty, so drink an extra glass of water each AM and PM.
- Go sweets-free for one day. You can do it!
- Add extra veggies or fruits to your dinner plate, or try making one night of the week a designated “salad night.”
- Be mindful of your portions. It’s about quality, not quantity.
GENERAL WELL-BEING
Give yourself some space — and some quality time to reset and relax. If you’re feeling frazzled and need to remind yourself what the holiday season is all about, make a date with yourself and find your inner peace.
- Get some sleep. Put your devices away at least 30 minutes before bedtime for more restful sleep.
- Pay it forward with a random act of kindness, like buying someone’s coffee or sending a friend a gift “just because.”
- Unplug for the day. Spend your Sunday without scrolling Instagram or updating your Facebook, and just be present with your friends or family.
- Write down five things you’re thankful for each night. It may help shift your perspective, especially if you’re feeling like a Scrooge. (Hey, it happens! We’ve all been there.)
