5 Tips to Stay Healthy Over the Holiday Season

Happy Holidays from all of us here at referralMD!

In the spirit of the holidays, we wanted to keep it light and provide some tips to stay healthy during the festivities.

 

1. Bundle Up

In most places, the holiday season goes hand in hand with cold weather. If this is the case for you, make sure to bundle up and dress appropriately if you plan to be out in the cold. This means wear your sweaters, jackets, gloves, scarves, socks, beanies, and even your earmuffs!

Even if you’re not out in the cold, keep warm by staying indoors cozied up next to the fireplace or the heater!

Many of us have to travel to visit family over the holidays, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather wherever you will be going and plan accordingly. For example, if you’re living in LA and enjoying the 70 degree winter in your t-shirt and shorts, but are planning to travel to the Northeast for the holidays, make sure to invest in a large jacket and other winter essentials.

Here’s a great article from LifeHacker on how to properly layer and stay warm during the winter months.

2. Be Active

This is definitely easier said than done, especially if you are one of those people living in areas with extremely cold weather. It might be difficult to get outside to go for a run or make the long trek to the gym, but this shouldn’t deter you from getting in a little bit of exercise during the holidays.

The holiday season tends to push us out of our normal routines. This could be due to the cold weather, increased travel, or just a general lack of motivation. Either way, it is important to make time for some kind of physical activity as staying inactive combined with the holiday feasting is a recipe for gaining unwanted pounds by the new year.

Here are some specific ideas to get you out and about during the holidays:

• Go skiing or snowboarding with the family

• Go ice skating with your significant other

• Have snowball fights and build snowmen with your kids or your nephews/nieces

• Take up yoga

• Workout at home

Take a look at some other ways to stay active during the winter.

 

3. Eat Healthy

This may be even harder than staying active during the holidays. Eating and the holidays are synonymous with each other and none of us here at referralMD would dare to tell you not to indulge in some of your favorite meals or treats. Heck, I know I’ll be having some hot chocolate and tiramisu at some point!

However, we would like to remind you to not overdo it. Maybe you don’t go back for your third plate of mashed potatoes or your second helping of pie. Maybe you try your hand at some healthier recipes for some of the foods that you just can’t go without. Maybe you eat whatever you want, but make up for it by taking time to exercise. Whatever works for you!

Food Network has you covered with some healthy versions of all your favorite holiday recipes.

Here’s one of my personal favorites: Baked Coconut Shrimp by Bobby Deen

Ingredients

Dipping Sauce:

• Nonstick cooking spray

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

• 1 orange, zested and juiced

Shrimp:

• 1/2 cup flaked unsweetened coconut

• 6 tablespoons plain panko breadcrumbs

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 large egg whites

• 1 pound large (21/25 count) shrimp, peeled (tails left on), deveined, butterflied and patted dry

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

To make the dipping sauce: Toast the curry and red pepper flakes in a saucepan over medium heat, about 1 minute. Add the honey, vinegar and orange juice and zest. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

To make the shrimp: Combine the coconut, panko and flour in a bowl or baking dish. Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl until slightly frothy. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add to the egg whites and toss to coat. Lift each shrimp from the egg whites, letting the excess drip off the shrimp, and then coat in the crumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place the shrimp on the baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray with nonstick spray. Bake until the shrimp are golden on the outsid
e and opaque in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with the dipping sauce.

Recipe courtesy of Bobby Deen

4. Relax

Relaxing is the of the most important things to do over the holidays. This will keep you both mentally and physically fresh for the upcoming year. Everyone has their own unique way to destress. Some like to travel out of country and get their minds completely away from home and work. Others like to spend time with family and friends. Whatever your method of relaxation, make sure to find time to do just that.

Personally, I like to curl up with a few good books or movies that I haven’t watched yet. This alone time allows me to escape from work and other responsibilities.

The holidays are quite stressful in their own way. Here are 12 ways to destress during the holidays courtesy of WebMD.

 

5. Have Fun

Throughout all of this, you should remember to have fun. The holidays are a time to relax and get away from the stresses of your normal routine. Spend time with friends and family, plan excursions and trips, enjoy your favorite foods, watch movies, go ice skating, do something fun for New Years; the possibilities are endless. Make some wonderful memories to help start your 2017 off on the right foot!

From all of us here at referralMD, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe, warm, and have fun over the holidays!