How to Make Family Health a Priority During the Holidays

Do you make family health a priority during the holidays? The holidays are packed with excitement, fun, sugary treats, delicious food, and don’t forget added holiday stress. Not only are the holidays a joyous occasion but don’t let the holidays be an excuse to let yourself go for the remainder of the year. I promise you can indulge without overdoing it.

There is no reason to get to excited and put your health on the back burner. Keeping up with your health will ensure that you are able to enjoy the holiday spirit and get things done for your kids. A family doctor at the Rindfleisch Family Practice offers Coolscultping, put together a list of way to keep your family health a priority during the holidays. You can also enjoy these tips year-round too!

Disclosure: I’m not a doctor or health care provider and the information included is for informational purposes only. It isn’t a substitution for advice only your doctor or health care provider can give you for your situation.

How to Make Family Health a Priority During the Holidays

Indulge in Self-Care

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, especially if you are now a single parent or simply have a family member that is unpleasant to be around, don’t let these circumstances steal your joy and excitement this holiday season. It is best to take control of the things that you have control of and let go of the things you don’t. I get it! It is easier said than done.

But taking the time to be mindful and practice self-care can go a long way during the holidays or any stressful moment. Try some meditation, yoga twice a day, take a hot bath, get a massage, or go pamper yourself one afternoon. If money is holding you back, there are a ton of DIY ideas on creating a memorable self-care routine that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

You know the things that you can do that help you relax and unwind at the end of the day. Continue using those coping skills or even try some new ones. Getting out and exercise if you are able, is another great way to destress your body. Being in a constant state of stress can be detrimental to your health.

Now is a great time to encourage your family to join in and practice self-care too. You want to continue to model a consistent self-care routine. Not only will it improve your own health. But you can make it a goal to achieve a healthy family too. It will take a bit of effort on your part to make your family health a priority during the holidays but dedication can create a habit.

Drink Plenty of Water

Waster is the source of life and when your body is stressed out your immune system can take a nosedive. Keep in mind that as you are consuming more treats, alcohol, or unhealthy foods during the holidays. Drinking water can help flush out the toxins and keep your body regulated. Here are several reasons why you need to stay hydrated during the holiday season:

• Improves oxygen delivery to cells
• Transports nutrients
• Enables cellular hydration
• Cushions bones and joints
• Regulates body temperature
• Removes wastes and flushes toxins
• Empowers the body’s natural healing process

So before you head over to Aunt Suzie’s house, go shopping for several hours, or attending various holiday parties, I suggest taking your favorite water bottle and keeping it with you to sip on throughout the day. This will help you remember to drink plenty of water when you get busy and keep your health a top priority during the holidays.

Encourage your children to drink their daily water goals too. Again, modeling the behavior will make it easier to meet your goal and make an effort to reach new goals as a family. Working as a team will make it easier to make your family health a priority during the holidays.

Stop Heartburn Before It Starts

With all of the delicious (but not so great for you) foods that we consume during the holidays, heartburn can creep up and make your life miserable. There are things that you can do to stop heartburn in its tracks and prevent it from ruining your holidays. I get that eating your favorite treats is a rare occasion but there is no need to go overboard. Here are some ways to stop heartburn now:

• limit foods that you know trigger acid reflux, gas, bloating, or an upset tummy.
• learn your triggers and keep those items to a minimum.
• eat slowly and take smaller bites
• avoid overeating
• get up and get moving to help your digestion process along

Teaching your kids these healthy habits now not only will help prevent heartburn, but it will also teach them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. Plus doing it together can help make your family health a priority during the holidays.

Start Taking Vitamins Daily

Starting new resolutions at the beginning of the year can easily fall to the wayside as life takes over and gets in the way of our best intentions. Taking a multivitamin not only helps fill in the nutritional gaps. Our bodies love to do weird things when it is under too much stress. Any stressful situation whether good or bad can wreak havoc. Try to keep things normal as much as possible in order to keep your health a number one priority this holiday season.

Remember to take your multivitamin on a daily basis if it has been part of your daily routine. If not, now is a great time to start a new healthy routine. Taking a multivitamin when you’re eating a hearty meal during the holidays will help you absorb the nutrients better too. Your kids can also feel the stress of the holidays so get them a multivitamin too.

Keep Up With Your Winter Workout Routine

Exercising is one of the best ways to beat stress but I get that it is harder to get to the gym or maintain your winter workout routine when the holidays cramp your schedule. But there are so many small things that you can do to make fitness a number one priority for your health this holiday season. Try stretching, doing bodyweight exercises, go for a walk, or hit the gym even if you can’t spend too much time doing it. Even a quick 15 to 30-minute session can make a huge difference when it comes to managing your stress.

Don’t be afraid to take the entire family out for a hike, stroll around town to look at Christmas lights or decorations, or sign up for a 5k run/walk. These are ideas that most people can do even if they are out of shape.

The goal is to encourage everyone including the kids to get up and move this holiday season. Remember your kids are watching and if you are slacking on your fitness routine they notice and will tend to spend more time doing what they want, ie screen time. Instead, urge your kids to get outdoors and get their exercise too. Whether they go run and play in the snow, ride their bike, jump on the trampoline, or play fitness-related games on their gaming stations.

New Year’s is getting close and now is a great time to plan some new family workout goals. Re-evaluate your routine and determine what is working or not. Toss out the things that are no longer working. Then come up with some new ideas to try this year that includes the kids. You can do it and meet your family health goals and teach them how to make their health a priority during the holidays as they get older.

How will you include your kids and teach them how to make family health a priority during the holidays?