Healthy Holidays

by Linda Schoene, Parish Nurse

Make your holiday season a healthy one in body and in spirit!

For the body:

  1. Don't diet! That's right, don't diet. Instead, aim for weight maintenance.
  2. Enjoy those holiday goodies in small portions surrounded by healthy choices like apples, cranberries and baked squash.
  3. When entertaining, provide a few healthy alternatives for those who are trying to maintain. For example: salsa instead of cream cheese, sorbet instead of ice cream, Ginger ale, sparkling cider and cranberry juice along with alcoholic choices
  4. Center entertainment on an activity such as singing carols, watching videos or ice-skating at the mall instead of food.
  5. Don't drink and drive.
  6. Above all, maintain your exercise routine amidst the hustle and bustle.

For the spirit:

  1. Make a budget for holiday spending and stick to it.
  2. Give gifts of time like babysitting, running errands, paying a visit or preparing a meal.
  3. Volunteer for a community organization.
  4. Try something new.
  5. Spend time thinking about what the holidays really mean to you.
  6. Remember that many people experience "holiday blues". They are normal and manageable. Talk with someone you trust.
  7. Make moments for yourself a walk in the park, coffee at Starbuck's, window shopping, looking through the family picture album or spending time on a neglected hobby or passion.

These healthy holiday tips were created from information provided by Duke University and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Last updated: 2003-11-30