Nourish
Whole-Body Holiday Health Tips
The holidays are an especially busy time. On top of our typical daily routine we’re buying gifts, entertaining guests, traveling, attending parties, baking holiday treats, and more. While it’s fun to dive headfirst into the holiday cheer, it’s also easy to lose sight of the things that make us feel energized, happy, and healthy. We’ve pulled together a few tips to help you stay balanced and manage stress during the coming weeks:
1. Volunteer/Donate.
Giving back isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for your body. Studies show that volunteering boosts your self-confidence, combats depression, and can even help you live longer. Visit createthegood.org to find volunteer opportunities in your area. If you don’t have time to volunteer, consider making a donation to a charity that you’re passionate about. One of our favorite organizations is Every Mother Counts. This incredible nonprofit is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman by supporting maternal health funds around the world. Check out everymothercounts.org for details.
2. Go Outside.
Sunlight and just being outdoors can do wonders for a case of the winter blahs. In fact, a recent study showed that women who took a brisk, outdoor walk for 20 minutes every day had better mood, higher self esteem and an improved sense of well being. So grab a friend, throw on your warmest coat, and head outside for a mood-lifting dose of the great outdoors.
3. Indulge Mindfully.
It’s totally normal to indulge now and then again. Just make sure that when you do indulge, you don’t beat yourself up about it. A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology notes that people who had an attitude of forgiveness and self-compassion after dipping into foods that sabotaged their fitness goals were less likely to keep binging. So if you overdo it on the holiday cookies (yum!), don’t wallow in despair and reach for a bunch more. Enjoy every bite, then return to your healthy habits at the next meal.
4. Slow Down.
Be sure to create a calm space for yourself in the middle of the holiday whirlwind. Think about the things that re-energize you, then be vigilant about scheduling time for them. Maybe it’s meeting friends for a barre3 workout or curling up in front of the fire with a good book. Whatever it is, do it every week.
5. Take 10.
It can be hard to find a solid hour in the day to work out, especially during the holidays. With our mobile app, you can do barre3 anywhere, anytime. (We love to do a quick workout at the kitchen counter!). By doing shorter fitness blasts throughout the day, you get the same metabolic boost and burn calories all day long.
6. Find Gratitude.
For many people, the holidays can bring on feelings of sadness or solitude. Instead of letting the holidays get you down, take the time to be thankful for the things that lift you up, whether it’s family, friends, music, nature—the list goes on. Studies show that people who practice gratitude experience a number of positive emotional and physical benefits, including more energy and optimism.
Above all, remember that the holidays don’t have to be perfect. So what if you overcook the turkey? It’ll make a great story later on! Instead of stressing, cherish your loved ones, be good to yourself, and if you need to blow off a little holiday steam, we’ll be waiting for you at the barre.
The holidays are an especially busy time. On top of our typical daily routine we’re buying gifts, entertaining guests, traveling, attending parties, baking holiday treats, and more. While it’s fun to dive headfirst into the holiday cheer, it’s also easy to lose sight of the things that make us feel energized, happy, and healthy. We’ve pulled together a few tips to help you stay balanced and manage stress during the coming weeks:
1. Volunteer/Donate.
Giving back isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for your body. Studies show that volunteering boosts your self-confidence, combats depression, and can even help you live longer. Visit createthegood.org to find volunteer opportunities in your area. If you don’t have time to volunteer, consider making a donation to a charity that you’re passionate about. One of our favorite organizations is Every Mother Counts. This incredible nonprofit is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every woman by supporting maternal health funds around the world. Check out everymothercounts.org for details.
2. Go Outside.
Sunlight and just being outdoors can do wonders for a case of the winter blahs. In fact, a recent study showed that women who took a brisk, outdoor walk for 20 minutes every day had better mood, higher self esteem and an improved sense of well being. So grab a friend, throw on your warmest coat, and head outside for a mood-lifting dose of the great outdoors.
3. Indulge Mindfully.
It’s totally normal to indulge now and then again. Just make sure that when you do indulge, you don’t beat yourself up about it. A study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology notes that people who had an attitude of forgiveness and self-compassion after dipping into foods that sabotaged their fitness goals were less likely to keep binging. So if you overdo it on the holiday cookies (yum!), don’t wallow in despair and reach for a bunch more. Enjoy every bite, then return to your healthy habits at the next meal.
4. Slow Down.
Be sure to create a calm space for yourself in the middle of the holiday whirlwind. Think about the things that re-energize you, then be vigilant about scheduling time for them. Maybe it’s meeting friends for a barre3 workout or curling up in front of the fire with a good book. Whatever it is, do it every week.
5. Take 10.
It can be hard to find a solid hour in the day to work out, especially during the holidays. With our mobile app, you can do barre3 anywhere, anytime. (We love to do a quick workout at the kitchen counter!). By doing shorter fitness blasts throughout the day, you get the same metabolic boost and burn calories all day long.
6. Find Gratitude.
For many people, the holidays can bring on feelings of sadness or solitude. Instead of letting the holidays get you down, take the time to be thankful for the things that lift you up, whether it’s family, friends, music, nature—the list goes on. Studies show that people who practice gratitude experience a number of positive emotional and physical benefits, including more energy and optimism.
Above all, remember that the holidays don’t have to be perfect. So what if you overcook the turkey? It’ll make a great story later on! Instead of stressing, cherish your loved ones, be good to yourself, and if you need to blow off a little holiday steam, we’ll be waiting for you at the barre.
