Christmas is a great opportunity to get together with family or friends. During endless meals, we discuss (too much), we eat (too much), we drink (too much), we laugh (too much) and we refill … too much. Often synonymous with excess, Christmas meals can take a toll on our stomachs. Discover 5 tips for a healthy holiday season. 

1. Continue to participate in physical activity

Don’t give up your physical activity during the end of the year celebrations, on the contrary, strengthen it! If you are used to gymnastics 2 times a week, increase this pace to 3 times a week. 

Besides feeling good about your body, physical exercise burns calories that tend to accumulate during the holidays.

In addition, keeping an activity helps reduce stress and remove our daily worries.

2. Avoid overeating

With all the food temptations associated with the Christmas festivities, where the time spent at the table increases with the lively discussions, it is sometimes difficult not to succumb. However, indigestion quickly came in the face of overeating that disturb our body. New Year’s Eve menus are often too high in fat and digestion is even longer. 

To avoid a liver attack, consider balance your meals, eat green vegetables, salad and drink water.

Above all, listen to your body. If you are no longer hungry and indulge in gluttony, limit yourself! To find out if your stomach is full, eat slowly, this will allow your brain to signal within 20 minutes if you are full. Plus, taking your time will lead to better digestion.

3. Moderate alcohol consumption

” Cheers ” ! Toast is common during the end of the year celebrations and the occasion does not fail to raise a glass: a glass of champagne as an aperitif, wine at the table, a little digestif for the road… If you have a drink is user-friendly, as long as it remains moderate, do not overdo it because alcohol is caloric and stimulates appetite.

Small tips: before drinking alcohol, remember not to have an empty stomach. A little snack such as yogurt or an apple before a meal, will limit the effect of alcohol on your body and have the benefit of suppressing your appetite. This will prevent you from rushing into the dishes. 

During meals, alternate alcohol consumption with water. Hydrating helps eliminate toxins accumulated during extended meals. So like every other day of the year, drink 1,5l of water per day.

4. Take time for yourself

This festive time of year is a source of excitement. This can, in certain cases, generate stress and increase your cortisol level. With consequences, a disturbed digestion or the accumulation of negative thoughts.

So, set aside some quiet time each day to relax. A walk, a nap, breathing exercises, a massage, a good book, listening to music… all means are good to relax and clear your mind. Taking a few minutes for you will recharge your batteries, will help you maintain control over yourself, manage stress, and maintain a positive attitude. 

5. Prevent infections

The Christmas season is ripe for winter illnesses like gastroenteritis, colds and the flu. To avoid them, wash your hands several times a day and avoid touching areas prone to contagion such as eyes, mouth and nose.

Move away from people who are coughing or sneezing. Once spread in the air we breathe, bacteria have no boundaries and can reach you. The same goes for people with contagious infections. Take your distance to counter the spread of the virus.

Anne-Flore Renard

Read also: What food for the holidays?