Keeping in touch with you health during the festive season
- nutriroots
- Dec 10
- 3 min read
Simple strategies to enjoy the season without losing what is good
The festive season is meant to be joyful — filled with connection, celebration, rest, and a little indulgence. Yet for many people, it’s also a time when routines fall away, stress creeps in, and health habits are placed firmly on the back burner.
The good news is that you don’t need to “start over in January” or strive for perfection to stay connected to your health.
Small, intentional choices can help you feel more balanced, energised, and present throughout the season.
Here are some simple, realistic strategies to keep in touch with your health — without missing out on the fun.
1. Shift the goal: from “perfect” to “present”
The festive season isn’t the time for strict rules or all-or-nothing thinking. Instead of aiming to eat perfectly or keep your normal routine exactly the same, focus on staying present and aware.
Ask yourself:
How do I want to feel during this season?
What choices help me enjoy today while still supporting my body?
This mindset alone reduces guilt and helps you make calmer, more conscious decisions.
2. Keep one or two anchor habits
Rather than trying to maintain everything, choose one or two non-negotiable habits that help you feel grounded.
Examples might include:
Drinking enough water daily
Moving your body for 10–20 minutes after each meal
Starting the day with protein at breakfast
Getting outside for fresh air
These “anchor habits” act like a safety net, even when the rest of the day looks different.
3. Eat to support energy, not restriction
Festive food is part of celebration — and it’s okay to enjoy it. At the same time, supporting your energy can make a big difference in how you feel.
Simple tips:
Don’t skip meals to “save calories” — this often leads to overeating later
Aim to include protein and fibre when you can
Eat slowly and check in with hunger and fullness
Think about adding nourishment rather than taking enjoyment away.
4. Move gently and consistently
You don’t need intense workouts to stay healthy during the holidays. Gentle, regular movement supports digestion, mood, and energy levels.
Ideas:
Walk after meals
Stretch in the morning or before bed
Dance, swim, or play with family
Do short home workouts when time allows
Movement should feel supportive, not punishing.
5. Protect your sleep where possible
Late nights and busy schedules can quickly add up to exhaustion. While perfect sleep isn’t realistic, small boundaries help.
Try:
Keeping a regular wake-up time when possible
Creating a short wind-down routine
Limiting screen time before bed
Saying no to some late nights if your body needs rest
Take a 20-30 afternoon nap
Good sleep makes every other health choice easier.
6. Manage stress with mini check-ins
The festive season often comes with emotional and mental load — family dynamics, finances, travel, and expectations.
Build in small pauses:
Take 3–5 deep breaths during the day
Step outside for a few minutes of quiet
Journal or reflect in the evening
Ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
Staying connected to your emotional health is just as important as food or exercise.
7. Let go of guilt — it has no health benefits!
Enjoying food, resting more, or changing routines does not mean you’ve failed. Guilt creates stress, and stress disconnects us from our bodies.
Health is built over time, not decided by a single meal, day, or week.
Final thoughts
Staying in touch with your health during the festive season doesn’t mean doing more — it often means listening more. Small, compassionate choices add up, especially when they’re made from a place of care rather than control.
Celebrate the fact that you are keeping to 1/2/3 healthy habits, instead of bad talking your efforts that it is not enough.
This season, give yourself permission to enjoy, to rest, and to gently support your body along the way. Create a space for yourself where you can hear your body, to fulfill what it needs.
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