I enjoy the holidays, but to be honest, I’m relieved when they’re over. I love all the activity, family and friends, but after a few weeks I miss my routine. It’s happily upended by:
- hanging out with my college kids,
- eating big meals,
- running extra errands,
- attending parties,
- skipping exercise,
- getting up early,
- staying up late…
I purposely scaled back this year and had an epiphany:
The excitement and anticipation of the holidays wears me out!
Many of us make resolutions about health and fitness goals, but they’re among the first to be broken. What if we just added a couple of healthy habits to our routines?
Exercise.
You already know what to do: move more. But do you realize the benefits of stretching?
Depending on your fitness level, try a series of easy stretches. Increase as you’re comfortable but never stretch to the point of pain. A sustained stretch will increase range of motion, decrease pain, and improve your posture, circulation & flexibility.
This interesting Livestrong article explains some benefits of stretching.
Eat better.
You already know this, too: cut down on all things fried, sweetened, caffeinated, processed and carbonated. Think whole, fresh and lean.
Rest.
Get plenty of it. Do things that help you relax, and do them earlier than normal. Take a shower, read a book, enjoy a warm drink, and turn off the television. Give your body time to wind down before you snuggle beneath the sheets.
(Ladies: start your routine AT LEAST 1 hour ahead. This will give you time to pick up whatever is in the floor, load the dishwasher, fold laundry, and lay out things for the next morning. We’re all familiar with how this works.)
Breathe deeply.
Photo courtesy of Dream Designs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
You’re doing it, aren’t you? Good. Americans are a society of shallow breathers, which may contribute to our stress and health problems. The more oxygen you take in, the better your body will function to release toxins and speed healing.
The Benefit Of Breathing is another good Livestrong article.
Drink water.
Water comprises over 60% of our bodies and more than 70% of our brains. When we don’t drink enough water, headaches and fatigue follow. Unfortunately, many of us reach for a soda or coffee, which provide very little hydration. I’ve found it helpful to sip water throughout the day; however, my VERY BEST tip:
Drink 16-20 oz of water as soon as you wake up.
(That’s the size of a standard water bottle)
I keep it on the bathroom counter so it’s handy, and drink it at room temperature. (Research shows it’s more quickly absorbed.) I started doing this last year and it’s made a big difference in my alertness and energy level.
Livestrong (my new favorite site) has a list of articles explaining the benefits of various temperatures and infusions, as well as information about bottled vs boiled vs filtered, etc. Check out The Benefits Of Drinking Water.
Too many of us fail at our fitness resolutions because we set unrealistic goals. As you begin 2013, why not just add one or two healthy habits?
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you…
Therefore honor God with your body.”
~1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The Lord has a good work for each of us, and He deserves a tip-top temple!
Great post, Susan. However, it seems you’ve covered everything, so what can you write about the rest of the year?
Actually, we all need to be reminded of these things, probably weekly. Have a blessed year.
LOL Bruce, I guess I’ll take the rest of the year off! Woohoo!
Yes, I purposely kept them simple. All those things should be a natural part of our day! Thanks for stopping by. Hope 2013 is your best year yet!
So I’ve got the water and sleep down pat! The eating well and moving more seem to go in cycles. That’s where I need to work. Sometimes if I color code a day in my calendar (for those control freaks who still have a paper calendar) it helps. I put green if I both moved more and ate well, I color red if I did neither, and yellow if I did only one. Goal is to not have two red days in a row.
Jeanette–I love, love this idea. I work as a health and wellness coach–I hope it is okay to share this tip with my clients.
Surely, Kim! I’ll aim to stick with it and be able to share some progress.
Jeanette- I’m the worst kind of control freak- I have a paper AND a digital calendar, and I love color coding both. What a quick way to keep track of healthy habits. Thanks!
What a great system, Jeanette! I’m not nearly that organized but I do try to walk or run every day. Well, I’ll pick that back up as soon as my sprain heals. Not the most fun way to start the new year!
I’m with Kim. I love, love, love this idea! Here’s praying for lots o’ green on my paper calendar.
Thanks Jeanette.
And thank you, Susan! I just purchased a new bobble water bottle, 34 oz. Shooting for at least two a day.
Good for you, Cathy! The two biggest benefits for me are mental alertness and smoother skin. I can really tell it on the days when I don’t get in all my water. Or if I drink a soft drink. They’re so full of sodium they don’t taste good to me anymore. And I feel bloated
I think Jeanette should make a reproducible and offer it as a download on her website. Sounds like a LOT of people would benefit from her system!
Love this Susan! Great tips and reminders and a great starting place. Monday I was doing a health screening and found myself encouragingly saying to many–Love the holidays, but so glad that we can get back to a routine. Looking forward to hearing more of your ideas and thoughts on wellness and healthy living!
Thanks, Kim! I knew you’d love these tips, especially since they’re simple and everyone can do them, regardless of their fitness level. And on days when you’re feeling puny, it’s good to get the blood flowing so your body can do its thing.
Excited about your new direction this year. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you Susan for the ecouraging words and healthy suggestions. I still have the three college girls here so I am still in holiday mode! LOL
Enjoy those girls for another week. We’ll miss you, but your priorities are right (as usual)!
Great Advise, My yoga instrutor is always reminding us about how to breathe. She believe that not breathing correctly is the cause of cancers! I don’t know about that, but continuing to breathe CAN prolong life!
So many interesting things about illness and disease, Di. Increased O2 is the easiest thing to do and one of the most beneficial! Glad you stopped by. I hope you got your website hangup un-hung!
Great tips Susan. And I’m so glad to hear that someone else enjoys routine like I do- sometimes it disturbs me that a shake up of my routine gets me so out of whack. But I have spent the last three days recovering from the holiday commotion!! Sorry to hear you have a sprain. Hope it heals quickly.
Yay to water, rest, stretching and breathing! I’m going to “Pocket” those articles to read. You’ve made some great points. Keep the good tips coming!
You’ll love the articles on Livestrong, Julia. They’re well-researched and easy to read, especially for us non-medical types. Lots of great info!
Ugh…you’ve reminded me again…
What I’ve learned I gain the greatest success with is adding one (or two) thing at a time and not adding another until I’ve mastered it. If I add several new and improved habits at once I’m more likely to experience failure and quit them all in defeat! Since breaking my foot last summer I fell of the bandwagon in so many areas, so I’m reminded I must start again with one….again…. 
But how easy are these, Jeannette? Breathe more, stretch more and drink more water. Nothing to master — everybody can do them, regardless of their fitness level! Breathing and stretching are great for getting the blood flowing and getting more oxygen into your system. It’s especially good when you hit that afternoon crash around 3pm. (which is now in VA)
Hope 2013 is a healthy year for you!
Susan,
Thank you for these helpful tips. And boy do I identify with your opening few lines (we’re a lot alike sister!).
It’s funny you mention health stuff b/c over break I noticed I was drinking a lot more soda with various get togethers (which I do not normally have except rare occassions) and right around new years I realized it and thought I’ve got to stop. Can you believe I began to get headaches which showed me my body was already used to having it in such a short time. ;(
So, I’m off to drink some water.
Love, Hester
ps. you’re kids are beautiful!
I hear you, Hester – they usually taste too salty to me but, once I start drinking them, they taste better and better. Pretty soon I can’t get my wedding rings off/on! I hope you’re feeling better. Now you’ve got some tricks you can do any time!
Great info, Susan! About eating healthier food, I once interviewed a fitness expert who said 1)we should eat food as close as we can to the way God made it and 2)eat a “rainbow of colors.” I like both of those.
I’m now at the age that I have to be more intentional about my health. After all, they don’t give Social Security to the young, healthy chicks!
I like that advice – food close to God’s design! My trainer-friend says to stay on the periphery of the grocery store. All the (over)processed stuff is in the center (chips, cookies, drinks, dressings, etc) and all the healthier stuff is around the rim. True!
And stop that talk of Social Security
I joined a Facebook group for women who want to eat healthy and lose a few pounds along the way. It’s been so encouraging as we share with one another to spur us on. And I have to say that the accountability has been good for me. Here’s to a healthier new year.
blessings and love,
Debbie
That’s great, Debbie! Gosh, there are Facebook groups for all sorts of things and they’re so supportive. Good for you!
Hi Susan,
Love this post! I gave up sugar a year and a half ago–NEVER thought I could–I was flat-out addicted. Since then I’ve discovered a couple of food intolerances/allergies, so I’ve cut out all wheat and dairy. My body works so much better now (though I confess giving up cheese is quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever done…). The ONLY thing I drink is water (and lots of it!), herbal tea, and coconut milk.
And I stretch every morning and take a long walk 5 or 6 days a week (and have for 30 years).
Didn’t realize we had so much in common!
Happy New Year to you, sweet Susan!
Wow, Julie – we DO have a lot in common! I’m mulling over giving up sugar myself, but I’ll have to do it in stages. It’s a challenge just thinking about it! Sorry to hear about the other allergies. I’m with you on giving up cheese — it makes me sad to imagine it
Maybe we can meet up at a conference and walk together. It’s THE best exercise!
Thanks for stopping by today
Hi Susan,
Beautiful site! Great tips! Love “I see Him in a sunset, at the mall, in the laundry room…”.
Cheers!
Nicole
Such great tips. I needed the reminder of deep breathing. I am often running about and forget to take a moment to breath in some good, clean air to calm my body a bit. Sad to say, though i know all the things to “do” and I do accomplish them…I am just so inconsistent and let life frazzle me to the fridge!
Hoping to join the “normal” BMI scale this year. 4 pounds down, 71 to go 0_0!
These are wonderful tips! I may try some of these! Thank you for sharing!
These are great pointers, Susan! I usually have that bottle of water first thing. Three days a week (hopefully), it’s with my exercise routine. I, too, love getting back into my regular routine after the holidays. And better eating habits. I had a few too many cookies this Christmas, and now I’m dealing with the results.
It’s back to fresh, green smoothies for breakfast and salads for lunch. My goal for this year is to flatten and tone my stomach. It hasn’t been that way since after my first pregnancy 13 years ago.
Hi, Susan. I love this article. Such a great reminder of the simple yet most important tips. I’m just getting back into the routine after the holidays…was a little extended this year. So getting a late start to January, but hopefully a healthy one with your help!
Hi Tami! I’m glad you stopped by to read and leave a comment. I hear you about Christmas. I intentionally scaled back, and even then I was exhausted. I think it’s the excitement & anticipation of the holidays as much as anything.
Hope you’re able to incorporate some of these easy tips. Our bodies are amazing!