A guide to surviving the holiday season
The holiday season is an opportunity to recharge your batteries so that you are ready to face a new year. Beware of falling into unhealthy habits that may linger around well past new years eve.
Below are the top five tips for surviving the holiday season from selectability Well Man Coordinator Grant Westthorp. Grant’s take on the holiday season is to enjoy the time off work to the max. Things to consider, moderate intake of food and alcohol, maximise the opportunity to exercise in the sunshine and socialise daily with family and friends. The holiday season is an opportunity to recharge your batteries so that you are ready to face a new year. Beware of falling into unhealthy habits that may linger around well past new years eve. Enjoy the summer break and embrace fun and laughter.
HO HO HO TIP ONE
Moderate alcohol consumption by drinking a glass of water between drinks and staying within the standard drink guidelines. To reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury, healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day.
Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Enjoy your celebration in moderation, you will feel so much better the day after and be able to have another day of fun and laughter. Having some dry days each week where you abide from alcohol is great for your kidneys and liver. Always catch a taxi to social functions that are out of walking distance range. You are responsible for your actions, avoid drinking and driving.
HO HO HO TIP TWO
The holiday season brings a variety of festive foods across your plate. It can be therapeutic to take time out to discover different foods, put on your favourite music and start preparing, follow new recipes and have fun with learning a new cooking skill. Here is a chance to get new flavours past your smiling gear.
Enjoy the experience more by keeping portion sizes small and make the effort to enjoy each mouthful. Employ the senses to note what the food smells like, what flavours are involved and chew each mouthful to enhance the experience. You no longer need to eat fast and leave, take your time and really savour each bite of food, slow the meal down, you will find that your digestive system will reward you for such an action. There are many cooking shows on television, the holiday season is a wonderful time to learn some new recipes and to bring out your old favourites.
HO HO HO TIP THREE
Driving your car can be treacherous during the holiday season, allow impatient drivers pass you, set realistic travel time to destinations and always have a rest break every 2 hours. During rest breaks always turn off the car, get outside the cabin and stretch your arms, back and legs to get the blood flowing back into tired muscles.
If needed pull into a service area and have a mini nap if you feel the eyes getting heavy, it is better to arrive late than not at all. Pack snacks and plenty of water to stay hydrated and less hungry. Listen to relaxing music or even a comedian to keep the journey light and a smile on your lips.
HO HO HO TIP FOUR
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to start a new exercise routine. You now have time to get your body in great shape to see the new year in. As always start slowly, stretch and less is more to begin with.
Setting the same time for exercise each day will breed a new good habit, stay within your comfort level, seek medical advice if required. Exercise can also be a great social occasion, invite friends and family to join in the fun. Your body and mind will thank you for starting to get the muscles moving, preferably outside in the sunshine and fresh air. Our bodies are designed to be active and if you want to feel great and clear your body of some fat, engage your legs and get moving.
Here is a kick-starter to get you up and going. Take a walk, the first three minutes start steady, get a nice rhythm going, the middle six minutes increase the pace so that is still comfortable, but you feel like you are being chased by a tiger! The last three minutes wind down back to an even pace. Focus on your breathing as you walk, imagine you are breathing down to your knees and exhaling out more than you have inhaled. Engage your senses, what can you see, hear, taste, feel and smell. Be in the moment, quiet the mind with a mantra.
Check the Men’s Life Promotion Survival Handbook for the 7 Day Challenge for inspiration you can download it HERE
HO HO HO TIP FIVE
Financial stress can be a by-product of the holiday season. Credit cards make it easy to purchase any present on the planet however buyers beware that come January the Credit Card statement will arrive in your letter box with a pay by date. To avoid the financial stress set up a budget for Christmas purchases and stick to it.
It is the gift of giving that is more important than buying well above your budget. Get crafty and make some presents or better still bake some presents, there is nothing better than a home made biscuit or cake. It is the thought that counts not the monetary value.
Holiday greetings from selectability's Well Man Coordinator Grant Westthorp.
To save a life, give the gift of blood this holiday season.
Holiday greetings from selectability's Well Man Coordinator Grant Westthorp.
To save a life, give the gift of blood this holiday season.
