Christmas is lots of peoples favourite time of the year – there are always so many fun parties, lots of great food and quality time with the people you love. All the fun does mean it can be a bit tricky to stay healthy though, so I thought I’d share some of my tips and tricks with you. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t go out, have a glass of champagne and enjoy the time with your friends – you absolutely should, just because you want to feel good doesn’t meant you shouldn’t have a great time. There are small things you can do to keep feeling great, rather than feeling permanently hangover and sluggish! Too many people get to January feeling bloated and tired, which means they spend the whole month trying to loose the Christmas weight and it all becomes a bit miserable. So hopefully by being a bit self aware over the Christmas period you can enjoy every moment of the fun and get to January feeling great, so you don’t have to spend the whole month feeling guilty!
1. Be Self Aware
This may sound a bit silly, but just be conscious of what you’re eating. It’s so great to enjoy yourself and tuck in to a big, beautiful meal with friends – but if you know something doesn’t make you feel good, then don’t totally overdo it, enjoy it in moderation. Likewise, we’re bombarded with food at this time of year and it’s so easy to overeat everyday, so again just be aware of how much you’re eating. Enjoy a huge feast one day, but the next maybe just skip some of the canapés and enjoy your meal without all the extras. Please don’t feel guilty about what you eat, or think that you can’t indulge and enjoy – that’s all part of the Christmas fun, but just be mindful of how you feel at the same time.
2. Sneak in a healthy breakfast
It’s harder to be healthy when you’re eating out, which so many of us are at lunch and dinner during Christmas, so focus on making breakfast you’re really nourishing meal. Try to get a good number of fruit and veg into breakfast, this will give you great energy for the day and keep you feeling great. A smoothie with things like banana, spinach, avocado, berries, almond butter and oats is amazing as you’ll four of your five a day in so easily! If you want something warm then something like rye toast with mashed avocado, roasted cherry tomatoes and sautéed garlicky spinach is fantastic, or a big bowl of coconut porridge with grated apple or chopped banana and berries. All these options taste amazing, and they’ll help you feel your best.
3. Try to get some movement in
I know that going to the gym with a hangover isn’t ideal, likewise working out isn’t always super appealing at 6.30am when it’s freezing cold and dark outside! So don’t push or punish yourself, if you can’t get into your normal exercise routine over Christmas then don’t worry. Instead just try to get some general movement in – get off the tube a stop earlier, take a slightly longer walk in your lunch break or go to a park with a friend on the weekend for a catch up after lunch. Just walking feels good and keeps you feeling happy and healthy.
4. Don’t forget to drink water
This tip may sound quite banal but when we’re so busy we so often forget to drink enough water, so just keep a bottle with you throughout the day and make sure you drink! If you’re cold then you can of course go for herbal teas instead. Being hydrated is so important when it comes to feeling good and it’s such an easy way to feel better. If you’re going to a party in the evening then make sure you’ve drunk a few litres of water during the day, it will help your body so much!
5. Don’t feel you have to do everything
As this is such a sociable time you may find that you have plans every night, but don’t feel you have to go to absolutely everything. People will still love you and want to be your friend if you skip one party! I find social media really heightens the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out!), as we can see everything that everyone else did. When you’re sitting on your sofa, in pj’s, on your own, looking at pictures of friends all dressed up at a party, it can be easy to feel a bit insecure – but please remember that social media isn’t a true reflection of everything. You may be just as happy chilling out and watching a movie as they are, as long as you don’t focus on not being there. If you’re exhausted then take a night out, you’ll enjoy the next party more if you’re rested and full of energy. It’s better to go to a handful of things and have the best time, then go to everything and just feel a bit stressed by it all, and as I said, I promise everyone will still love you if you skip something, as long as you do it politely!
6. Keep eating the rainbow
This is one of the harder things to do, but not impossible! Eating a range of different coloured fruit and veg is one of the best things you can do for your body. Doing this gives you the best range of vitamins and minerals to boost your health and energy. Try to get a couple of portions of fruit and veg into breakfast, as it’s the easiest meal, and then add in a portion to both lunch and dinner – veggies like spinach and roasted carrots are widely available as sides at restaurants, so order these alongside your dish – that way you should get a great mix of goodness.
7. Find some time for yourself
Christmas is such a giving time, and we give so much time and energy to everyone around us, which means it’s easy to forget ourselves and get lost in a whirlwind of craziness. So just take an evening or some time during the weekend every now and again to enjoy the things you love and just relax – take a bath, make a delicious meal, watch a TV show and get a good night’s sleep. Having 12 hours away from the world to just re-energise does wonders for your mind! and body!
8. Don’t forget to sleep
I know when you’re busy being sociable in the evening sleep isn’t number one on to to-do list, but don’t overlook it completely. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you get a good seven hours sleep. Even if you can’t do it every night, try to do it a couple of times a week. It will really help boost your energy and general wellbeing.
9. Enjoy yourself!
Last, but not least, make sure you enjoy yourself! If you’re a health goddess most of the year and set that slip over the next few weeks then please don’t worry, as long as you’re having fun it’s all ok. Don’t feel guilty for anything you do, and please don’t go on a crazy diet come January! Life is about balance and enjoyment, and if that means over indulging over Christmas with your friends and family then that’s great. Do your best to make some healthy choices, from eating avocado toast for breakfast, getting a good sleep on a Sunday night or taking a walk with a friend, but equally if you can’t do these things everyday then don’t stress – the most important thing is that you enjoy the festivities!
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