Feeling overwhelmed by the seasonal whirlwind of holiday events, end-of-year projects, relationship and budget challenges and more indulgent holiday eating but less physical activity?
Your healthy lifestyle may have disappeared along with the Thanksgiving turkey.
Fortunately there are quick ways to promote wellness over the holiday season:
Keep your distance. No, not from Uncle Charlie and his Santa hat. Don't circle the mall parking lot looking for spots by the entrances. Expend calories, not gas, by parking further away. Inside the mall use stairs instead of the escalator, and start your mall stroll at the furthest shop. And when you are at a holiday party, don't hover near the buffet. Take a small plate and wander off to avoid temptation and make the focus conversation not cookies.
Address stress. The holidays can be a trigger for stress and depression. But a 15-minute "just for you" break can help you refocus. Find a quiet spot and turn on a CD with soothing music (use earphones if at work) or spend a few moments reading a favorite poem. A short walk can also lower stress hormones. Another quick stress reducer is to focus on your breathing. Breathe in through your nose for a count of three, focusing on your breathing and pushing out your abdomen. Breathe out for a count of 6 though your mouth.
Host it healthily. Having a bash? Do your guests a favor by providing heart-healthy alternatives such as veggies and low-fat dip, whole grain crackers and pretzels, popcorn and nuts. Look for recipes that replace high-fat cream with low-fat yogurt. Here's another tip: put munchies in small containers in several rooms. Studies show individuals eat more snacks when presented with a large plate. Try a container such as oversized brandy snifter, which not only makes it a little harder to heap a handful, but makes an attractive decoration.
Make holiday shopping easier with healthy baskets from The Healthy Basket.com
Our 
holiday baskets include:
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Dark chocolate covered cranberries (both are high in antioxidants)
- All natural, no trans fat cookies
- Fat free, high fiber gourmet crackers, pretzels and organic popcorn
- Gourmet cheese
- Heart healthy nut mixes and much more!
More healthy tips
Stress adds weight
All those high fat, high calorie holiday goodies can pack on the weight. Some studies have shown an average 5-7 weight gain during the holidays.
Now new studies, however, have shown that stress alone can create weight gain, independant of foods consumed.
Stress may help trigger fat cells to grow and multiply. Even worse, the fat cells tend to be stored in abdominal fat, a risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
The bottom line: Controllling stress during the holidays is key. Breathing techniques, meditation and yoga, exercise and music are all known ways to lower the stress "fight or flight" hormones.
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Chose a healthy relaxation basket.
Move it and lose it
Instead of meeting friends and family at a restaurant to celebrate the holidays, plan a walk in a nearby park or neighborhood. A small piece of heart healthy dark chocolate can help keep up your spirits as you hike!