If there’s one time of year you want to look and feel your best, it’s now. From family celebrations to friendly soirees, the holiday season presents myriad opportunities to show off your best self.
If you feel like you’d rather spend the next few weeks in a long winter’s nap, it’s time to put yourself first. A few simple changes will have you feeling your best all season long.
Don’t sacrifice your gym time
With the new year around the corner, you might be tempted to hit pause on your fitness routine until the clock strikes midnight Jan. 1. However, forgoing daily exercise, even when your schedule has you stressed out, isn’t going to help. According to Harvard Business Review, regular exercise can increase your productivity and decrease your stress levels, both of which will have you feeling your best all season long. Of course, daily exercise also helps you maintain a sleek physique, so you can show your best self at all those holiday gatherings.
Slim down
If looking more svelte this winter is on your holiday wish-list this year, give yourself the gift of CoolSculpting. This noninvasive procedure is the only FDA-cleared nonsurgical fat reduction treatment available. It successfully targets — and reduces — stubborn fat bulges. You’ll feel and look better this winter season.
Indulge sparingly
When your holiday diet staples include pecan pie, cornbread stuffing and peanut butter fudge, you’ll soon feel like your ugly Christmas sweater is camouflaging a bowl full of jelly. Everyone looks forward to favorite holiday dishes, so don’t feel like you have to forsake every seasonal shortbread cookie or candied pecan. That said, if you’re not discretionary about those foods in which you do indulge, you’ll end up too sapped of energy to enjoy the holiday season. Save indulgences for special occasions and gatherings, and avoid grazing over the platters of treats and sweets that pop up around the office and on your doorstep this time of year.
Take time for yourself
The holidays are about togetherness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take an hour or two to decompress by yourself. This season, practice self care. Whether that means escaping a house full of guests for a quiet afternoon walk or spending an hour or two getting some much-needed health and beauty services, make sure you are on your holiday to-do list. When your physical and emotional needs are met, you’ll be better poised to make the season special for your family.
Get some rest
Sleeping in heavenly peace might not seem possible during the holidays. With school vacations, out-of-town house guests, excited children and overscheduled calendars, you may consider just a few hours sleep a success. If you want to feel and look your best, sleep must be a priority. According to sleep researcher Wendy Troxel, bouts of insomnia are typical during the holiday season, but you can combat it by making simple, healthy lifestyle adjustments. Be consistent about when you go to sleep and when you wake up, exercise regularly and avoid excess alcohol consumption.
Get the toxins out
If it’s been a while since you’ve detoxed your body, now is the perfect time to do just that. Not only will you start the new year with your healthiest foot forward, you’ll enjoy the extra energy and restorative results of a metabolic detox.
“We don’t often recognize the combined burden of the environment, diet, lifestyle and processes placed upon our bodies each and every day,” says Dr. Amy Brenner’s website. From air pollution and pesticides to prescription drugs, alcohol and undigested foods, toxins in your body could be holding you back, so cleanse your body to feel your best.
Let go of expectations
Looking your best may make you comfortable at your next holiday soiree, while feeling your best requires a healthy state of mind. This year, don’t get bogged down by expectations you’ve built up in your head. Give yourself a pass if you can’t bring homemade cookies to the school party or use paper plates at your family’s holiday dinner. Unrealistic expectations will only increase feelings of stress — which, in turn, diminish the joy of the season.
