Have you been traveling? Are you sleep-deprived? Have you recently made a sudden change to your daily routine? All are common when it comes to winter break and all can impact your physical health. It’s important to give yourself the rest and recovery time you deserve, but some intentional choices and purposeful activities can help you feel your best during break and feel recharged once school starts again.
Set Up a Routine (And Stick to It!)
If you’re struggling to maintain a healthy lifestyle over break, one of the best (and easiest!) things you can do is to establish a daily routine. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; in fact, starting small can lead to more successful and lasting results!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. This simple adjustment can help you get better sleep overall, wake up refreshed, and feel more awake during the daytime hours. An erratic sleep schedule can lead to a number of health issues and leave you feeling even more tired than you were before. Remember, a “bedtime” is just as important for adults!
Get dressed. Even if it’s just changing from nighttime pajamas to daytime pajamas! The act of getting dressed helps signal to your brain that the day has begun.
Eat regular meals. With more time and often more food options at your fingertips, it's easy to let snacking take over. See “Balance Your Nutrition” below for why it's important and beneficial to incorporate a routine when it comes to mealtime.
Balance Your Nutrition
There’s nothing wrong with eating extra candy canes, holiday cookies, or some of your favorite snacks over winter break. Just remember that moderation is key to avoiding feeling sluggish and not like yourself! Try to maintain a routine of well-balanced meals to give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs, while also allowing yourself to enjoy holiday treats. If you’re seeking inspiration for your next well-balanced meal, check out this list of easy-to-make healthy recipes.
Get Outside
A great, no-cost way to take care of your body is by getting outside (bundle up, it’ll be worth it)! Getting daily sunlight is important for your body to maintain good levels of Vitamin D, and fresh air can help improve your mood, strengthen your immune system, and maintain overall physical health. Go for a short walk, run around the block, or even sit on a park bench. All you need is 5 to 15 minutes. Read more about the health benefits of sunlight at WedMD on Sunlight and Your Health. Think of your body like a plant with thoughts and feelings – you need sunlight just as much as any other living thing!
Tune Into Your Body
Physical and mental wellness go hand-in-hand in helping your body be the best support for you. In fact, physical wellness can increase your overall mental well-being. But you don’t have to take it from us! Here is a list of the top ten health benefits of exercise. If you don’t have access to a gym or equipment, no worries! There are plenty of at-home exercises that you can do to stay in shape and take care of yourself, like this at-home workout for beginner, intermediate, and advanced athletes. Wherever you are on your fitness journey, there is something for you! Not interested in traditional exercise? No problem! Remember, just getting outside is a great start.
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