The semester is winding down, finals are coming to an end, and winter break is about to begin. That means: mom’s homemade baked goods, days of nothing to do, and freedom from studying for the next few weeks.
While it’s good to get a break and to recharge, it can be just as easy to fall into an eating and sleeping frenzy. To beat the winter blues, here are 5 ways to stay healthy over the holidays:
1. Eat Breakfast. OK, I will admit, this sounds simple and something commonly discussed. However, it gets really easy to get into a routine of waking up late and not eating breakfast. Ensure you eat a high protein breakfast every morning to get your body energized for the day!
2. Get active. Even a simple 10-minute walk a day is enough to boost mood and energy for up to two hours. Find unique ways to get active that work for you: take a walk, play hockey, or even go ice skating.
3. Make time for hobbies. During the craziness of the semester, it’s easy to put off things we love doing. Maybe you are a champion pingpong player or maybe you love to knit? Whatever your hobby may be, make sure you spend some extra time getting your dose of it this winter break!
4. Enjoy your friends and family. Make special time to enjoy the company of your close friends and family. Feeling the love from the people in your life will fill you up in a way no holiday casserole or dish could ever do.
5. Eat colors. Between pasta dinners, holiday cookies, and mom’s famous dishes, it can be really easy to negate fruits and vegetables. Try to incorporate colors onto your plate with every meal. And no, sprinkles don’t count. Each color provides specific nutrients to keep you happy and healthy—all break long.
Lindsey Smith, known as the “food mood girl” works with people who have a habit of looking to food for all the wrong nutrients: comfort, reward, fun and acceptance. Through speaking and coaching she motivates, equips and inspires people to sort out their relationships with food so they can live a healthy, balanced life. She is also the author of “Junk Foods & Junk Moods: Stop Craving and Start Living!” Connect with Smith via her Web site, www.FoodMoodGirl.com, on Facebook and Twitter @LindseySmithHHC.
