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Every year, we face the same classic dilemma: how to savor the holiday season without sidelining our health and wellness goals or feeling sluggish, tired, or run-down. The good news? You can indulge responsibly! With a touch of mindfulness and a few expert wellness tips, you’ll be able to enjoy festive gatherings, delicious treats, and all the seasonal celebrations without undoing the progress you’ve worked so hard to achieve. The question then becomes, how can we approach the holidays without restriction and guilt and simply enjoy them?
Why are The Holidays Hard?
The holidays can be tough on our bodies because they often disrupt the pillars of our health. Sugar intake skyrockets, sleep schedules get thrown off, stress runs high, alcohol flows more freely, and our healthy habits often get pushed to the side—only to be revisited come January 1st.
This combination can leave us feeling sluggish and drained. Our immune system also feels the impact, with its defenses weakened and our susceptibility to seasonal colds and flu heightened. Many people experience guilt after indulging, which ironically can be harder on our physiology than the indulgences themselves. Weight gain is common, and symptoms that are usually well-managed may flare up, leaving us to face the aftermath of holiday season excess.
Mindset Shifts to Enjoy the Holidays
To truly enjoy the holiday season without so many downsides, start by letting go of the “all or nothing” mindset. Just because you had some holiday treats at the office doesn’t mean your whole day is a write-off! You can still make balanced choices for the rest of your meals.
Next, give yourself permission to enjoy. Enter the season knowing that you’re allowed to savor festive foods, drinks with friends, or a big holiday meal without sending yourself into a guilt spiral. Embracing this mindset makes it easier to enjoy the moment and move forward with balance.
Lastly, remember that you have the tools to navigate the holidays and support your body. Trust in your ability to handle the season with healthy choices and habits.
Now, let’s get practical...
If it’s accessible for you, stick to a consistent supplement routine. Supplements can offer extra support during this time of year, helping your body counterbalance some of the season’s indulgences and stresses.
And now, onto the fun stuff…
Wellness Hacks for A Happy Holiday Season
- Eat a Balanced Breakfast
Breakfast sets you up for a successful day - and a balanced breakfast which includes 30g of protein along with carbs and fat gives you a metabolic advantage. Sugar is the highlight of the holiday season, and because of this, blood sugar is often dysregulated. Since breakfast largely determines the trajectory of your blood sugar, the more balanced the breakfast the less likely you are to overeat sweets and simply enjoy them in moderation! Breakfast is the easiest meal to control during the holiday season, and focusing on it as the foundation during this time has a high ROI.
Not to mention, getting adequate nutrients is important to support the body and a balanced breakfast is full of them!
2. Hydrate
Staying hydrated can help alleviate many common holiday “symptoms” like fatigue, low energy, brain fog, and mood swings as these are also classic symptoms of dehydration. During this busy season, there’s more alcohol, stress, sugary treats, and dry indoor air—all of which can lead to dehydration and make us feel less than our best, increase risk for catching a cold and cause us to overeat.
True hydration goes beyond just drinking water; minerals are essential too. Minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium along with trace minerals help water enter cells effectively, supporting better hydration and energy. Try adding trace mineral drops like ConcenTrace to your water, or sip on a mineral-rich tea like Harmonic Arts Sea Breeze for a cozier alternative to water!
3. Don’t Skip Meals
Skipping meals to “save room” for a big holiday feast is a common approach, but it often backfires. Going too long without eating can cause blood sugar swings and throw off hunger cues, making it more likely that you'll overindulge when you finally do sit down to eat. This lack of balance can lead to digestive discomfort and cause us to make less nutritious choices—for instance, reaching for carbs and sugar instead of prioritizing protein and vegetables.
When done regularly, skipping meals can even slow down your metabolism and lead to negative effects on your body. For women, this habit can be particularly disruptive to hormonal health. Instead, aim to eat balanced meals throughout the day, so you can enjoy the holiday meal and leave feeling your best!
4. Have GlucoSupport on Hand
The big swings in blood sugar seen during the holiday season can lead to inflammation, weight gain, and reduced insulin sensitivity—all of which impact metabolic health. While balanced meals with protein can help stabilize blood sugar, it’s not always easy with so many festive treats, candies, and chocolates around.
That’s where GlucoSupport by AOR comes in. Having a bottle on hand can help counteract some of the effects of those blood sugar spikes. Clinically proven to reduce sugar absorption, GlucoSupport helps to lower blood sugar spikes and keep insulin levels within a healthy range. Just take one 30 minutes before indulging in sweets for extra support!
An amino acid supplement can be a great ally during the holiday season, especially when stress levels rise or before a big holiday gathering. Amino acids help boost immunity, increase energy, and support appetite regulation. Taking amino acids can enhance satiety, strengthen your immune defenses, and help reduce stress-related cravings. We’re big fans of Freeminos by True Hope for convenient support during the holiday hustle!
6. Meal Prep in Advance
‘Tis the season to meal-prep! With the holiday rush, it’s easy to get too busy for home-cooked, nutritious meals. Having pre-made meals ready to heat up can take a lot of pressure off and helps you stay on track with healthy eating, no matter how hectic things get.
It’s never too early to start! We recommend prepping before the season is in full swing by making extra portions of your dinners and freezing them to build up a stockpile. Batch cooking with a slow cooker is also a great option to save time and have healthy meals on hand throughout the season.
7. Increase Magnesium Intake
Excess sugar, stress, dehydration and poor sleep hygiene all cause magnesium to be used up rapidly, increasing the demand for it. Increasing magnesium intake during this period can help us sleep deeper, counteract the stress response and generally leave us feeling better. You can shop our popular magnesium here!
The holiday season doesn’t have to derail your wellness goals or leave you feeling drained. By making a few mindful choices and incorporating simple wellness hacks, you can navigate the festivities while staying healthy and in alignment with your health goals. Whether it’s prioritizing hydration, eating balanced meals, or leaning on supportive supplements, these tips empower you to enjoy the holidays without guilt or restriction. So, go ahead—savor the season, celebrate with loved ones, and enter the New Year feeling your best and on track!
Author: Lisa Kowalyk, CNP, B.Kin
