Christmas is on its way and it is wonderful to have something positive to look forward too after all the restrictions we have been living with this year. Even though the festive season may look and feel a bit different  we can still plan zoom get togethers, a lovely winter walk outside or a small gathering (if we get lucky !!) so there are ways to make wonderful memories with those you love. Thank goodness for online shopping to keep our fridges packed with delicious goodies and as christmas is a time of over indulgence, FACT, this can mean your diet and lifestyle suffers.

There are many ways that you can enjoy the Christmas period, whilst looking after your body, mind and soul. Read on to discover our top seasonal wellbeing tips.

Start the day right

Beginning each day with a healthy breakfast is important all year round. It’s an important meal of the day for a variety of reasons, with a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes, better weight management, improved cognitive abilities, and enhanced bone health all linked to eating this morning meal. Shake Up Your Wake Up explains more about why eating breakfast makes a big difference:

“Apart from providing us with energy, breakfast foods are good sources of important nutrients such as calcium, iron and B vitamins as well as protein and fibre. The body needs these essential nutrients and research shows that if these are missed at breakfast, they are less likely to be compensated for later in the day. Fruit and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals so try to include a portion of your daily five at breakfast.”

Breakfast is the perfect way to set you up for the day, especially if the rest of your day will be spent eating and drinking exactly what you want. Porridge topped with your favourite fruits is an excellent breakfast option. Try adding dried cranberries and cinnamon to add to the Christmas vibe and boost your antioxidant hit. Add a huge dollop of probiotic yoghurt to give your immune system a boost and defend against seasonal illnesses, and the effects of too much alcohol and not enough sleep. 

Blending up a smoothie for breakfast is another quick and easy option and it is a great way to add fresh veggies and herbs like ginger, parsley, and turmeric into your diet without too much effort with all the rewards of an extra vitamin boost early in the day.

Hydrate and hydrate some more

Water is the elixir of life, not to mention an excellent hangover cure for those of us who fancy a tipple or two at this time of year. Indulging in one too many drinks can put a drain on your body and its fluid levels, leaving you dehydrated and not feeling your best.

By making an effort to hit the target of six to eight glasses of water per day you can keep the effects of dehydration at bay and energise for your next festive celebration.

You don’t have to just drink water either. Spice up your hydration habits by enjoying a hot cup of herbal tea or a fruit infused water. Beware of having too much caffeine (the usual go to pick-me-up) – and this includes your daily doses of tea and coffee, plus any fizzy drinks. Caffeine is a mild diuretic, which means it increases the production of urine and has a dehydrating impact on your body. Your best bet is to rehydrate with water where you can.

Make time for snacks

Christmas can be a hectic time even with the restrictions right now and this can leave us feeling low on energy and snacks can provide important energy boosts throughout the day. Opt for healthy snacks, like yoghurt with sliced banana, carrots, or apple with nut butter, homemade seed and nut mix, or sweet treats full of good fats like our Chocolate & Fig Fudge. Give yourself a Christmas treat and an energy hit by trying our vanilla coconut energy balls recipe. There are lots more treats and snack you can make here.

As well as providing a vital energy boost, snacks leave less room for overeating. You may also be more inclined to make healthier food choice at mealtimes by not starting off too hungry, with regular snacks proven to limit food cravings and prevent non-stop grazing.

Adapt your fitness regime

Exercise should remain an important part of your life over the Christmas period, but with increased festive commitments sticking to your usual fitness regime may be unrealistic. Adapt your training schedule to make it easier to stick to during the festive season.

Making time for just 15 minutes of exercise per day – whether that be a calming yoga session, intense HIIT routine or a brisk winter walk – is enough to keep the focus on your body and to stop you getting out of the habit of keeping up with your exercise. A short and regular amount is definitely better than doing nothing.

Using meditation can also be useful to keep you in balance at this busy time. With just five minutes of meditation every day, you can take the chaos of Christmas in your stride and enjoy every single moment. There are plenty of apps out there to get you started like this one which I love and they have a great free version to try as well.

We’d love to hear more about how you intend to stay healthy this Christmas. Share your wisdom below by leaving us a comment. All that’s left to say is – have a happy, healthy festive break!