MOTIVFIT BLOG
Is It Possible to Improve My Health During the Holidays in Maryville, TN?
Here Are 4 Health Tips to Reduce Your Stress and Improve Your Health Over The Holidays
T’is the season. It’s Christmastime! While hearts and minds should be focused on the miracle of Christ’s birth, this is the time of year that people come to me with frantic eyes and shaking voices making declarations like:
“I’m all over the place and life is too crazy to eat healthy or exercise”
“I’m so stressed with work and family drama that I can’t sleep”
“I just have to eat cookies every day because they’re there”
Yuletide stress can mean skipped workouts, stress eating, and loss of sleep. These altered health habits combine with the body’s internal “fight-or-flight” stress response that can negatively impact health and present as:
This is not what Christmas is about. Nor is it a pathway to optimal health either. And it’s certainly not going to be how you want to ring in the New Year.
But the good news is that stress is a controllable risk factor.
What does this mean? It means that by reducing stress you have control over your health! You can reduce your risk factors for chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, certain cancers, and IBS among scores more.
This means better health across the board! What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Try these tips to reduce stress so you can improve your health over the holidays:
1. Think about what brings you joy at Christmastime.
What really fills your tank? What rejuvenates and renews you? See if you can do more of that.
It doesn’t have to revolve around food or eating. Feast on other senses. Perhaps it’s rest. Maybe it’s visiting a fancy neighborhood light display, experiencing a Living Nativity at a local church, or attending a live Christmas concert.
In 20 years from now your family won’t remember if your gluten free rolls looked exactly like the social media guru’s picture so stop stressing over it. Spend time doing what brings you joy.
2. Think about the choices you make, and how you make them.
Remember, it’s not about making the “right” choice like a Good Fitness Person. It’s about making a choice that’s right for you, right now, and being aware of how you got to that decision.
If you choose to eat a couple of Grandma’s famous Christmas cookies, that’s your choice.
Just do it consciously. Mindfully. Joyfully. And — as we teach in our coaching programs — slowly.
Stay present and checked in. Choose with purpose. Then move on.
Because, with the right approach you can enjoy food, connect with others, and be healthy and fit... All at the same time.
3. Savor the moments.
Whatever you choose to eat, drink, or do during the holidays: Take the time to “check in”, pay attention, and be present with those things. Make ‘em count.
Moments turn into memories and last a lot longer than the perfectly wrapped presents that overly coordinate with your theme-of-the-year tree.
Remember the expressions on loved one’s faces, the gleeful giggles in their voices, and the loving hugs of those who may be gone in 20 years.
4. Focus on the things that last.
This world is temporal. Seasons are fleeting. Stressing more will not change that.
Set aside time to focus on the reason for the season. Pray. Read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20). Thank God for His Indescribable Gift in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Many of the health problems plaguing today’s society during the holidays, such as heart disease and IBS, are a result of poor lifestyle factors caused by stress. MOTIVFIT fitness and nutrition coaching helps support your body and enhance its ability to heal.
Schedule a Complimentary Health and Fitness Evaluation today!
“I’m all over the place and life is too crazy to eat healthy or exercise”
“I’m so stressed with work and family drama that I can’t sleep”
“I just have to eat cookies every day because they’re there”
Yuletide stress can mean skipped workouts, stress eating, and loss of sleep. These altered health habits combine with the body’s internal “fight-or-flight” stress response that can negatively impact health and present as:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Elevated blood sugar
- Digestive difficulties
- Hormone imbalance
- Sleep disturbance
- Compromised immune function
- Depleted energy
- Mood swings
This is not what Christmas is about. Nor is it a pathway to optimal health either. And it’s certainly not going to be how you want to ring in the New Year.
But the good news is that stress is a controllable risk factor.
What does this mean? It means that by reducing stress you have control over your health! You can reduce your risk factors for chronic illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, certain cancers, and IBS among scores more.
This means better health across the board! What a wonderful Christmas gift!
Try these tips to reduce stress so you can improve your health over the holidays:
1. Think about what brings you joy at Christmastime.
What really fills your tank? What rejuvenates and renews you? See if you can do more of that.
It doesn’t have to revolve around food or eating. Feast on other senses. Perhaps it’s rest. Maybe it’s visiting a fancy neighborhood light display, experiencing a Living Nativity at a local church, or attending a live Christmas concert.
In 20 years from now your family won’t remember if your gluten free rolls looked exactly like the social media guru’s picture so stop stressing over it. Spend time doing what brings you joy.
2. Think about the choices you make, and how you make them.
Remember, it’s not about making the “right” choice like a Good Fitness Person. It’s about making a choice that’s right for you, right now, and being aware of how you got to that decision.
If you choose to eat a couple of Grandma’s famous Christmas cookies, that’s your choice.
Just do it consciously. Mindfully. Joyfully. And — as we teach in our coaching programs — slowly.
Stay present and checked in. Choose with purpose. Then move on.
Because, with the right approach you can enjoy food, connect with others, and be healthy and fit... All at the same time.
3. Savor the moments.
Whatever you choose to eat, drink, or do during the holidays: Take the time to “check in”, pay attention, and be present with those things. Make ‘em count.
Moments turn into memories and last a lot longer than the perfectly wrapped presents that overly coordinate with your theme-of-the-year tree.
Remember the expressions on loved one’s faces, the gleeful giggles in their voices, and the loving hugs of those who may be gone in 20 years.
4. Focus on the things that last.
This world is temporal. Seasons are fleeting. Stressing more will not change that.
Set aside time to focus on the reason for the season. Pray. Read the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20). Thank God for His Indescribable Gift in the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Many of the health problems plaguing today’s society during the holidays, such as heart disease and IBS, are a result of poor lifestyle factors caused by stress. MOTIVFIT fitness and nutrition coaching helps support your body and enhance its ability to heal.
Schedule a Complimentary Health and Fitness Evaluation today!
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