The holidays seem to get busier and busier, don’t they? From shopping for gifts to decorating to parties and engagements to travel, there’s so much going on, and it’s easy to lose track of your healthy routines and habits in the holiday hustle and bustle.
Even when you’re far from home, like over the river and through the woods at Grandma’s house, for example you can make time for the things that make you feel good and (mostly) stick to your go-to rituals and routines.
Pack healthy airport or road trip snacks.
There’s nothing worse than being super hungry on the road or in the sky and there’s nothing healthy to eat. Do a little pre-planning and bring your own fruit, cut veggies, popcorn, beef sticks, or string cheese for a quick healthy snack to stave off hanger.
Squeeze in moments of wellness where you can.
Even just 10 or 15 minutes count! Can you squeeze in a short workout video while staying at your parents’ house, go for a quick run around the neighborhood, or volunteer to walk the dogs? A short burst of activity is a great way to get your heart pumping in a pinch. If you’re a houseguest, offer to make dinner one night and fill everyone’s plates with delicious vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats; they probably want a break from sweet treats too!
Be clear about your goals.
If sticking to your routine is important to you, let your loved ones know! They want to support you, so if that means you sneak out in the early morning to get a run or swim in, great! If you’re sticking to a specific diet, let your host know in advance and be open to bringing your own food items if needed. You may even find an unexpected healthy-living buddy in your family and hit the gym with your brother-in-law or cousin.
Adapt to your surroundings.
You may be away from home and all its comforts while traveling for the holidays, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your routine entirely. If you’re staying at a hotel, use its gym or spa to get in your workout or self-care time. If you’re staying with friends or family, ask if you can pick up groceries to help; you’re doing them a favor and you can grab a few of your favorite healthy items to make sure you don’t fall off track. If sleep is an issue while traveling, bring a sleep mask, sound machine, or a sleep supplement to help you doze off.
Sneak in vitamins and minerals.
One of our favorite things about our Organic Red Beet Soluble Crystals is that they’re so easy to add to juice, water, tea, smoothies, baking, soups… the list goes on! They dissolve completely and add a hint of earthy flavor. Plus, beets are a nutritional powerhouse with many nutritional benefits, like potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. Add them to your cranberry sauce or a mocktail for a little dose of goodness.
Give yourself a break.
It’s OK to let things go a bit during the holidays. You don’t have to rigidly cling to a routine or stress yourself out just to check the box. The holiday season is best spent with the people you love, so do what you can to feel good, but don’t put tons of pressure on yourself to be perfect, either.
