Make Your Christmas Day Healthy

By Brandi Goodman 

Christmas starts with treats for many with candy and other goodies filling the stocking that's opened first thing in the morning before the gifts. Throughout the day many families enjoy a large meal together and feast on high-calorie foods and desserts. Make your Christmas day healthy by changing up a few things and starting some new traditions.

Drink Water

Avoid drinking the holiday beverages so often served on Christmas. Eggnog, hot cocoa, and especially any alcoholic beverages should be left off the drink menu. Water is the only drink that really provides important benefits to the body each day. If you don't care for plain water, then at least try an infused option with fruit so you still get the benefits.

Stay Away From the Food Table

You don't have to spend your entire time standing around the food table at a holiday gathering. Mingle with others outside on the porch, out in the yard, or simply choose the living room. Stay away from the food table except at the actual meal time so you aren't tempted to snack from it.

Incorporate Fitness

Too many get no fitness time in around the holiday season. Make sure to incorporate fitness somehow into your Christmas so you can boost your physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins that can improve mood, thereby making it an ideal activity to start your day or end it. Take a walk around the block and enjoy the view of the Christmas lights with your family or on your own. You can also have everyone at your gathering enjoy some fitness time together by adding game time or getting everyone up and outside. Dancing is also a great option for a crowd.

Give Healthy Gifts

Give your loved ones healthy gifts and it will help you have a healthier day as well. Say you purchase an organic gift basket for your parents; they may be inclined to share and give you a treat to try. Perhaps you'll buy an oil diffuser for your spouse; you'll also get to enjoy the aromas and feel the relaxation they provide. Gifting healthy items to others may also simply inspire you to live healthier.

Christmas can be calorie-filled if you aren't careful. Make your Christmas day and other holidays healthier by changing up the way you do things this year and after. Your health and well-being should always be a priority, so make sure it's your main focus whether it's the holiday season or not.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Kingwood, Tex.