Despite the upbeat carols and wishes of good cheer, the most wonderful time of the year can feel like anything but. The to-do list is long, but time is always short. Maintaining that merry feeling can be a challenge, especially when racing from event to event.
To create some personal peace on earth, Dr. Steven Hotze, founder and CEO of the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, and his team have a stocking full of ideas to make your holidays healthy and bright.
The holiday season is a time of celebration, which often means indulging more than usual and moving at a breakneck pace. Want a happier holiday season? Slow down.
"Make sure you always get enough sleep. A good night’s sleep is crucial for restoring energy and rejuvenating mind and body,” Hotze said.
Even the healthiest eaters can be swayed by buffet tables and holiday cocktails, so Hotze suggests a diet focused on the truly good-for-you foods.
“Make sure you are eating right. Eat a high protein, high fat diet and stay off simple carbohydrates and processed foods,” Hotze said.
Curb hunger and reckless eating by carrying a protein snack with you such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts or cashews. Staying hydrated is also key to keeping energy levels high, so keep that water bottle close.
More than ever, it’s important to stay on track with a multi-vitamin, and Hotze suggests adding magnesium to your daily routine.
“Magnesium helps you with the stress, calms the nerves down and keeps your blood pressure down,” Hotze said. Vitamin C is also a must, since it supports the adrenal glands, which produce cortisol, the hormone that handles stress.
Vitamin B12 is another energy-booster, creating red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Not only does B12 aid in nerve health, but it also helps prevent anemia, which causes fatigue.
What you put in your body are important holiday survival tactics, but so is getting enough exercise. Physical activity boosts energy levels and exercise carries oxygen and nutrients to the muscle tissues. Reaching out and physically connecting with family and friends is a simple gift to give and receive during the holidays and throughout the year.
“Pleasure is a nutrient,” Hotze said. “Tell them you love them.”
And when it comes to making and finishing those Christmas lists, Hotze suggests a straight-forward approach. Pacing and prioritizing make a big difference in handling the holiday swirl.
“Make a to-do list, start working on it a day at a time. Don’t do what I do and wait until the last minute,” Hotze said.
To find out more about making your holidays healthy and happy, contact the Hotze Health & Wellness Center at 281.698.8698 or visit www.hotzehwc.com.
