It’s easy to get swept up in the pleasures of good food and festive drinks during the holidays, and the combination of friends, family and national celebrations can help keep the cold weather at bay.

However, the parties and feasts that mark the holiday season can strain the waistline and tax the arteries. You don’t need to feel like you have to deprive yourself of all the goodies, however.

Instead, by integrating some healthy habits into your daily routine and practicing some defensive eating tactics, you can stay healthy through the holidays and enjoy yourself in the process.

Tips for Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

When holiday feasts are in full swing, it’s no wonder we tend to overindulge and make “go on a diet” one of our New Year’s resolutions. Here are four tips to stay healthy during the year’s festivities:

1. Make Smart Food Choices During the Seasonal Holidays

Eating well can help you feel better during the holidays, but it’s sometimes easier said than done. If you’re a guest at a party or dinner, try the following strategies to eat mindfully during the holidays:

• Use a small plate
• Eat before you go
• Limit alcohol intake
• Eat at regular intervals
• Find activities that do not involve food
• Socialize away from the food
• Wait 10 minutes after eating to give your brain time to tell your stomach it’s full

2. Remember to Exercise for Holiday Wellness

Exercising can help you feel better during the holidays and keep you on track with your goals.

With all the activities, responsibilities and commotion the holidays bring, it can be challenging to find time to move. Some exercise strategies to implement during the holiday season include:

• Walk as much as possible. You can volunteer to walk a friend’s or family member’s dog, take extra laps at the mall while shopping or use the stairs whenever possible.
• Offer to help with the housework, including raking leaves or shoveling snow.
• Bring resistance bands with you and use them for quick strength exercises whenever you have a few spare minutes.
• If you’re visiting family or friends, search for running, walking or park trails nearby.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

Between putting our bodies through long days at work and getting jet-lagged from family travels, sleep deprivation can sneak up on us during the holidays if we’re not careful.

To ensure you get adequate sleep during the holidays, try:

• Scheduling later flights.
• Shopping online.
• Cooking ahead of time.
• Avoiding eating and drinking alcohol right before bedtime.

4. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated during the holidays can help stave off weight gain, chapped lips and even headaches. Here are some easy ways to stay hydrated this holiday season:

• Before reaching for more food, drink more water.
• Bring your own water bottle to parties and family functions.
• Choose peppermint tea over hot cocoa.
• Drink a glass of water for every glass of alcohol.

Healthy Holiday Hack

If you find you are experiencing a post-holiday party hangover or severe dehydration, know that Rocky Mountain IV Medics can help. We come right to you to safely and painlessly administer IV therapy for hangovers or dehydration.

Getting in-home IV treatment can help boost your energy and keep you feeling great during the holidays. We help customers in over 20 towns near Denver, Colorado, alleviate the symptoms of dehydration, hangovers, illness, fatigue and more.

Schedule an IV Therapy Session Online Today

Bypass all waiting rooms, hassle and travel fees, and get an on-demand IV drip jam-packed with nutrients, fluids and medicines for fast in-home relief. Schedule an IV therapy session online today and we’ll get you back to feeling your best in no time.