The holiday season is upon us! While many of us love the holiday cheer that this next month can bring, they can also bring up feelings of anxiety, especially when it comes to a person’s health. Not to mention we are still in the middle of a pandemic. While there won’t be any of the holiday parties or large family gatherings, it can still almost seem impossible to find time to work on yourself this season Even if you do find time, you’re so tired that a workout, a healthy meal, or a dentist appointment is the last thing that you want to do.
Not only are we extremely busy, but the holidays are a time that is surrounded by food and unfortunately that food is not the healthiest for our bodies or our teeth. However, there are things that you can do to avoid diminishing our health. In this blog post we will be discussing some easy ways that you can continue to stay on track with all of your goals this holiday season. Keep reading to learn more!
Set A Realistic Routine
It’s no doubt that the holiday season is one of the busiest seasons for everyone, pandemic or not. Everything from the holiday get-togethers, Christmas present shopping, and visiting family can put your normal routine into a frenzy. With all of the extra activities, even sticking to your normal day-to-day routine can be exhausting, which is why it’s important to set a realistic routine or schedule for yourself when it comes to your health. Before you go into the holiday season, realize that your normal routine might look a bit different and that’s okay! It’s easy for us to put stress on ourselves but it’s also important to embrace the holidays and enjoy everything that they bring. Setting a realistic routine for yourself will also help you stay on track and not feel down when you go to see your family, in-person or virtually. Having a routine may also help you feel less stressed since you already know what you have to do for the day.
Eat Before You Go Out
The holidays are notoriously surrounded by incredible food that is extremely delicious but unfortunately, it’s not the healthiest. Most of this food tends to be served at family gatherings and holiday parties, while there won’t be many of those this year, you can still be surrounded by food. If you know that you’re going to be attending a family dinner or even running to the store, we recommend that you eat beforehand. Now this doesn’t mean that you need to eat a full meal but having a healthy snack before you go can keep you from overeating at the get-together or from overindulging in the holiday snacks at the grocery store.This can also help you save money from running to a fast food restaurant because you’re starving and don’t have the energy to cook. If you are eating before, make sure that the snack your choosing is high in protein. These snacks can be something easy like a protein bar, protein shake, a handful of almonds, or even a piece of fruit. Try keeping a protein bar or healthy snack in your bag or in your car so you’re not tempted by that bag of chips in the check out line. Your teeth will thank you too!
If you’re short on notice and don’t have time to whip up something quick, you can try drinking a full glass of water before you go in. Sometimes our brains confuse the signals of thirst for hunger and vice versa. Making sure that you’re fully hydrated helps you from overindulging and benefits your body in many other ways! Drinking a full glass of water can also help wash away any leftover food particles and also keep your mouth from getting dry.
Drink Your Water
This should be something that you’re doing all the time, not just during the holiday season. But, keeping your body hydrated in a season that is surrounded by food and potential travel is of the utmost importance. If you are traveling, it takes a toll on your body, especially when it comes to hydration. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, make sure to bring a water bottle with you and drink up. Your body and mouth needs water to function properly so make sure to give it that TLC that it deserves. It’s also a great way to combat sickness, which is great for 2020!
Avoid Drinking Your Calories
Not only is there a heavy emphasis on food but there’s a heavy emphasis on drinking too. Whether these drinks are alcoholic or not, these drinks tend to be filled with sugar, cream, and other heavy substances that can add up quickly. All of these types of sugars can get stuck in your gums and begin to rot your teeth if you’re not taking proper care of your teeth. Liquid calories are also just as real as calories that are consumed from food. Try and stick to one drink or alternate your drinks with water in between. Remember to pace yourself too!
Schedule Time For Yourself
Once again, this is a busy season. Scheduling time for yourself is of the utmost importance. Whether this be the time where you get your favorite take out meal, get a workout in, cook for yourself, or even turn off your phone for an hour, this time should be for you and you only! 2020 has been hard for all of us, so make sure to treat yourself too, not just those on your Christmas list!
Be Kind
Lastly, remember to be kind to yourself. It’s easy to beat yourself up about missing a workout or not making the healthiest choices when it comes to what we eat. It’s okay to not be perfect. Often we set our expectations so high that we inevitably feel like we could have done more but, in reality, we’re doing our best already. It’s also important that you enjoy the holiday season too. It’s okay to skip things to go see your family. It’s also okay to enjoy the food that’s served. The holidays only come around once a year and you should embrace them. So if these next few months aren’t your best when it comes to hitting the gym or eating healthy, it’s okay. The holidays will end and you’ll be able to get back on the wagon and keep crushing it.
Maintain Any Health Related Appointments
Even if you aren’t out and about as much this holiday season, between work and your usual life, you’re still going to be very busy. It can be tempting to push off any health-related appointments to a later date, but in reality, it can be dangerous for your health. Ignoring your health and wellness, especially your dental health can lead to a multitude of problems down the road. Make sure that you’re prioritizing yourself this season by maintaining your regular visits to dental hygienists.
Once again, our doors are open for both routine and emergency procedures. Whether you’re a new client or have been with us for a long time, we’re here for you! We understand that not everyone is comfortable with dental procedures, which is why we created our office to be as comfortable as can be. All our dentists use gentle approaches and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Connect with us today to set up an appointment. From all of us at Luxe Dental Spa, Happy Holidays!