10 tips to stay healthy during the holidays

1) Brush your teeth often. If you get used to the feeling of a clean mouth, you will be less likely to want to put sugar and junk in it. That sugar teeth feeling is the worst! As an added bonus, you will have fresh breath at all those holiday gatherings.


2) Don't forget to eat. It's so easy to get so busy that we skip breakfast and lunch. I'm sure you can guess what happens... you head for the garbage cookies to give your blood sugar a boost. Make sure to eat every 3 hours so that the junk loses some of its allure.

Now, to make sure you do this, plan your snacks. Make them easy. Cheese, crackers, and apples. Toast or frozen waffles. Yes, those aren't the healthiest options in the world, but that brings us to the next point...


3) Avoid "all or nothing," AKA perfection mindset. We are all busy. Who has time to make steamed veggies with sesame oil every time they get hungry? NO ONE except Oprah and Martha Stewart.

If you are set on only eating healthy stuff, you are probably going to fail. And when you fail, it invites an avalanche of binging. "I can't stay on my holiday diet," you might say, "so I might as
well not try."

Give yourself permission to eat things that may not be the most nutrient-packed snacks and meals. Do the best you can in the time you're got. Aim for eating one veggie or fruit with
everything. So, mac and cheese with broccoli, PB&J with carrot, eggs with mushrooms. Hamburger, fries, and an orange.


4) Go ahead, eat the treats if you really want them! Just do something active to make up for them. Walk the dog or go to the park. It will burn a few extra calories, but more importantly -
it will make your body and mind feel good.


5) You know those stupid health "mantras" that you can never truly believe? Like, "I am thin, healthy and fit." Most people have never been able to make those work.

Try this "I am getting healthier every day." That is totally believable! Just eating a cracker instead of a cookie for less sugar and fat will make that come true. Take ten minutes to
stretch your aching legs and back before going to bed. Voila! You are getting healthier every day.

Try it - and when you fulfill that statement, you feel great about yourself.


6) GET SLEEP. For some people, not enough sleep kills the immune system. Sleep is *so* important; it's how the body recovers from stress and repairs itself.

Don't sacrifice your sleep time for holiday business. It never, ever pays off. Delegate tasks. Hire or recruit people to help you. You will never enjoy your holiday if you're sick, get mouth sores, or feel tired and cranky all the time.