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Nov 17 2023
Healthy Habits for Spreading Happiness During the Holidays
It’s oh-so-tempting to schedule a jam-packed holiday season because everything about it is so festive and fun. But here’s the risk with a super busy December: you may notice that your usual healthy habits begin to slip away.
Don’t worry — we’re here for you with healthy holiday tips! From prioritizing self-care to giving back during the holidays, our expert tips for holiday health will leave you feeling relaxed, recharged, and ready to take on your to-do list. Let’s dive in!
Ways to Give Back During the Holidays
Our best holiday health tips start with ways to give back during the holidays. Placing your focus on others can actually benefit your own health! Giving back during the holidays can spread happiness throughout your community while improving your mental well-being. Win-win!
Plus, volunteering and acts of kindness can create lasting memories and traditions for your family, instilling values of empathy and generosity in your loved ones.
Volunteer within your community.
Giving your time to help others is an especially meaningful way to extend good cheer during the fun and festivities of the holiday season! Whether working at a food bank, participating in a charitable turkey trot or jingle run, managing a toy drive, or organizing a class party at your child’s school, volunteering reduces stress, provides a sense of purpose, and creates a greater sense of interconnectedness. Plus, it's a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories and connections with your community.
Donate to a nonprofit organization.
There are so many worthwhile causes out there! Start by choosing one that is particularly meaningful to you — a homeless shelter, cancer organization, pet shelter, or something else entirely. Some nonprofits need essential items like food, blankets, clothing, and toiletries, while others benefit more from monetary donations.
And remember to look around you! If you know someone who could use extra support, the holidays are a perfect time to extend a helping hand. Every small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life, especially during the holiday season.
Purchase gifts thoughtfully.
When shopping for holiday gifts, consider buying from local stores, small businesses, or even larger companies that give back generously to the community. Your money makes a huge impact for small business owners, and usually you’ll get more unique gifting options by choosing this route!
Another thoughtful gift option is to make a charitable donation in honor of a friend or family member. Kids LOVE receiving adoption certificates for animals at the zoo. This approach adds a meaningful touch to your gift-giving and supports important causes close to your loved ones' hearts.
Cultivate Healthy Holiday Habits
With everything happening during the holidays, you may be tempted to abandon your healthy habits. Before throwing caution to the wind, remember that maintaining your well-being during this festive season ensures you enjoy the holidays to the fullest and sets a positive tone for the coming year.
Take a beat and check out these easy-to-follow holiday health tips. Here’s how to stay on track:
Practice gratitude.
Practicing gratefulness releases feel-good chemicals and hormones, leading to greater happiness, less stress, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and a healthier heart. You can start by writing in a gratitude journal, sending notes of appreciation to loved ones, and deciding to live more in the moment. Embracing this positive mindset can be a wonderful gift to yourself during the holiday season.
Prioritize self-care.
Staying fit during the holidays through exercise, healthy meal prep, relaxation, and enough sleep will make this the best holiday season you’ve had in ages, we promise!
We recommend exercising first thing in the morning, planning meals and snacks weekly, allowing yourself mental health breaks during the day, and (perhaps most importantly!) going to bed on time. Prioritizing self-care during the festive season can help you easily juggle those holiday tasks, ensuring you have the energy and resilience to enjoy the celebrations.
Plan ahead.
If ever there’s a time for a good planner, this is it. Laying out your daily, weekly, and monthly schedules in advance increases productivity, keeps small (and large!) tasks from slipping through the cracks, and reduces overall stress. Maintaining a healthy balance between productivity and personal well-being is essential during busy times. Prioritize self-care by blocking out time for relaxation, hobbies, or simply doing nothing.
And if your calendar is bursting with scheduling conflicts, remember that it’s okay to say no. You also have the option to delegate!
Protect yourself from disease.
We all know that the holidays fall during peak cold and flu season. But there’s no reason to miss out on all the fun! To protect yourself from disease, wash your hands frequently, schedule recommended vaccines, get enough sleep, and consider wearing a face mask in high-risk situations, especially if you are older or immunocompromised. Maintaining a balanced diet is essential, and staying hydrated can also help bolster your immune system during this time.
Turn to others for support.
Establishing healthy holiday habits sometimes isn’t enough to stave off negative emotions. If you are feeling stressed, anxious, overwhelmed, lonely, or depressed, ask others for support. Many people benefit from professional counseling, especially at this time of year. You are not alone!
Support Your Community.
Along with volunteering and donating, there are many ways to foster happiness within your community, especially during the holidays. The best part is that when people around you are happy, they are more likely to give back to others!
To spread happiness within your community, try some of these small gestures:
- • Treat a friend to a pumpkin spice latte.
- • Offer to walk or pet-sit a neighbor’s dog.
- • Gift babysitting to a family with young children.
- • Pick up groceries for someone who is sick.
- • Stay late at work to help a co-worker.
- • Surprise your partner with a romantic date.
- • Say “yes” more often to your kids.
- • Call older relatives just to say hello.
- • Invite someone you don’t know well to go for a walk.
- • Bring a friend or family member to your favorite Jazzercise class.
The Power of Giving: Spreading Happiness
Giving back during the holidays spreads happiness from YOU to your entire community! Whether volunteering to support others, donating to worthy causes, or performing acts of kindness for friends and neighbors, our holiday season tips will help you feel (and do) good! Just make sure you keep up with your usual healthy habits, including your regular fitness routine this holiday season.
At Jazzercise, we encourage healthy holiday habits throughout the season. Our holiday health tips will even set you up for a healthy and happy new year! Join us daily for a hip-shaking, body-rocking, mind-blowing sweat sesh! We guarantee you’ll feel happier and healthier after working out with your sweat squad.
Start here to learn more about dance cardio and strength training classes at Jazzercise. Happy holidays!
