“Amidst the festive lights and joy, let us not forget the most precious gift we possess: Our Health.”
It’s that time of the year again when festivities are knocking on our doors. And it’s a busy time for most of us where we will be busy attending parties, religious festivals, and having good times with our friends and families.
Thus, it can be difficult to maintain our nutrition and fitness goals amidst all the fun times, celebrations, and, of course, mouth-watering delicacies.
However, it’s not impossible either. With a few healthy strategies up your sleeve, you can enjoy the festive season and also avoid putting on extra kilos and reversing your healthy habits.
So, without further ado, let’s explore 12 healthy strategies that will help you stay fit through the festive season and allow you to savor that occasional barfi or halwa guilt-free!
12 Essential Tips to Stay Healthy During the Festive Season
Who said festivities and health don’t go together? Life is all about balance, and even you need to strike the perfect chord of balance between your festival fun and your health. After all, you don’t want to be left feeling sluggish and regretful once the music stops.
But fear not, we are here to help. Check out these 12 essential tips that will help you stay fit and healthy throughout the festivities.
1. Eat before partying
Unless you aren’t fasting, it can be a good idea to eat a healthy meal before you go out for festivities and parties. Eating before heading out will make you feel full, and you will avoid junk food or overeating outside. It’s also not wise to skip meals as you will be more inclined to eat outside later.
2. Stay hydrated
Amidst all the fun and frolic, it can be easy to forget to drink water. However, staying hydrated is essential for your health. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will keep your energy levels up and also make your skin glow.
3. Prioritize meals over snacks
It can be easy to get swayed over so many delicious food choices during the festivities. However, prioritize eating a full meal before you intend to gorge on any snacks. This will curb your sweet cravings and prevent you from stuffing yourself with too many festive treats.
4. Eat balanced meals
Festive treats needn’t only be sweets. Religious offerings such as prasad often include fruits and vegetables. Thus, these healthy options can balance out the junk items and provide you with essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.
5. Be mindful of buffets
If you are at a buffet, check out all the food items before you put anything on your plate. In this way, you will be less likely to pile on unhealthy food on your plate. Moreover, you can make healthy, conscious choices about the food you will eat.
6. Stay away from the food table
At parties, keep your distance from the food table. This will help you avoid mindlessly reaching for food as you talk and socialize with people. If you feel like you have a habit of recreational eating, then pop a chewing gum or mint in your mouth.
7. Be aware of sugar
Sugar is everywhere during the holidays. Thus, you should be aware of sugar in processed drinks and foods. If you cook at home, opt for natural sweeteners like jaggery, maple syrup, or even honey.
8. Stay active
It’s important to find ways to be active during the festivities. Try to squeeze in a home cardio workout in the morning before you start your day. Physical activity is a great way to keep your energy levels up and burn off those extra calories. Here’s a list of some cardio exercises that you can try at home.
9. Dance!
Indian festivities are all about dancing and shaking a leg or two. And dance is a great cardio exercise to burn those festive calories. So, don’t forget to dance to your heart’s content and have fun at parties.
10. Get enough sleep
It can be easy to get caught up in late-night parties and festivities with your friends and family. However, don’t undermine the importance of having a good night’s sleep. Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night, and you will wake up every morning feeling recharged and refreshed.
11. Practice stress-reduction techniques
For some, the festive season can be quite stressful with all the festive planning, partying, and outings. Thus, you should try to practice some stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or even practice a 5-minute yoga session to keep your stress levels low.
12. Focus on what matters
Although holidays and festivities are about food, focus on having fun with your family and friends. The festival season is a great time to socialize and interact with people, create new bonds, and strengthen old ones.
Thus, if you have been strict with your diet all year round, it can be okay to let yourself loose once in a while and indulge in the festive goodness.
Final thoughts
The festive season is all about spending time with your loved ones and creating cherished memories. However, it is also important to prioritize your health amidst all the festivities so that you can stay healthy and active even after the partying ends.
Happy Holidays!