Holistic Approach to a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

The holiday season comes at us women over 50 like a bullet train each. This year more than ever we need to start preparing for it and take a holistic approach. LivingBetter50 has some tips on how to approach the season regarding workouts, meals, and mental health.  Now is the best time to plan for the holiday season because you’re going to be so busy. So stay on top of your goals, stay consistent, and of course, enjoy! 

Workouts

Tip: Plan weekly 

1. At the beginning of each week line up which workouts you plan on doing so, you don’t waste time and give yourself an excuse.
2. Plan your schedule and put your workout times in as well. Once they are entered, think of them as important as a doctor’s appointment or business meeting.
3. A good goal is to work out for 30 minutes to 1 hour at one time. Schedule only 3 workouts per week.
4. Full body workout–because you are only working out three days, make it fun, exciting, and easy on yourself—lower body, upper body, full body.  
5. If you have time on your off days, try to go for a 30-minute walk, run, or jog.

Meals over the Holiday Season

Tip: Indulge don’t overindulge

1. Enjoy the holiday food, but try not to go into the meal starving because you’ll more than likely eat more than you should.
2. Drink a few glasses of water before you eat. You will feel fuller so you are less likely to overindulge.
3. Add mint, cucumber, lemon, lime to your water. Adding any of these will help satisfy a lot of cravings.
4. Always remember, your eyes are often bigger than your stomach.
5. Try to get 30 chews for every bite. This is part of the secret of the Mayr diet that Rebel Wilson has been on in 2020. You’ll find that you appreciate your food more and will feel satiated. 

Mental Health for the Holiday Season

Tip: Be self-aware

1. Holidays are always stressful—people often feel like they haven’t accomplished what they wanted, being around so much family often makes them anxious, and external stressors are impacting everyday life such as Covid-19.  It’s important to watch out for triggers.
2. Every morning center yourself with 5-10 minutes of silence or a daily devotional from LivingBetter50.
3. Make a conscious decision to breathe when you feel attacked. It will help calm you.
4. It’s important to look at health holistically. The thoughts going through your head and your reactions to them and your perspective as well.

Bonus Exercise to try from Kit Rich

Kit Rich, a trainer to various celebrities has this exercise for you to try. Do this exercise on hardwood floors wearing socks or use a dishtowel.  Count to 20 for each move.

• Start off by sliding one foot forward doing a “slider lunge“
• Hold the lunge position for a count of 20
• Makes sure that you do not bring your knee beyond the line of your foot
• Slide your foot back to be in line with the back foot                                      
• Now slide the other foot forwards and hold the lunge position
• Repeat this for 5-7 sets
• You can also slide each foot out to the side and follow the same guidelines as above

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