December 1, 2023
Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season With These Tips
As the holiday season approaches, our calendars become full of festivities and cherished moments with loved ones. It’s also a time when our physical and mental well-being can easily take a backseat.
Coryell Health understands the importance of maintaining balance during this time of year. From healthy eating advice to combating loneliness and serving the community, we have tips to help you thrive during the holidays.
Healthy Holiday Eating Tips from Coach Mardi
Do you enjoy holiday food or practice healthy habits? The answer: both! Mardi Mason, our Ideal Protein and weight loss expert, has some invaluable tips to help you indulge without compromising your health.
1. Plan Ahead
You’re not always in control of what food you’ll be served. Plan for family gatherings and parties accordingly by bringing a healthy dish with you. If you’d like to eat a dessert, cut back on carbs during the meal.
2. Avoid the Buffet
When faced with an assortment of yummy foods, grab a small plate of the items you enjoy most and walk away. Eat vegetables first to help curb your appetite. Then, feel free to dig into the rest of your plate!
3. Enjoy Your Favorites
There is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy Grandma’s famous pumpkin pie. Choose small servings of the dishes you love and can’t get any other time of year. Treat yourself!
4. Stay Active
Try to fit in at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Your exercises don’t have to be hardcore — going on walks with loved ones after a holiday meal can help combat stress and calorie intake!
5. Get Your Rest
The holiday season can cause a lack of sleep. Sleep loss may make it harder to manage your blood sugar. When you’re sleep-deprived, you tend to eat more and prefer foods high in sugar and fat. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to prevent mindless eating.
How to Avoid Loneliness During the Holidays
While the holidays are a time of togetherness, they can also be challenging for those feeling isolated. Here are some strategies to foster connection and combat loneliness.
1. Get To Know Your Neighbors
Building a sense of community starts with a friendly “hello.” Strike up conversations, exchange contact information and consider organizing a small gathering to foster connections with those living near you.
2. Phone a Friend
The holidays are the perfect time to rekindle relationships. Take the time to catch up with an old friend or family member. Share stories, reminisce and let them know they’re in your thoughts during this special time of year.
3. Share a Meal
There’s nothing that brings people together quite like food. Invite a neighbor or friend over for a cozy meal. Whether it’s a potluck-style gathering or a home-cooked dinner, sharing a meal creates a space for conversation and bonding.
4. Join a Club
Whether it’s a hiking club, book club or another hobby-based group, joining a club allows you to meet new people who share your passions. Engaging in activities you love alongside like-minded people can create meaningful connections.
5. Create a Holiday Bucket List
Encourage yourself to get out there and try new things with a holiday bucket list! Activities could include attending local events, preparing new recipes or engaging in acts of kindness. This list can serve as a guide to ensure you make the most of the season.
Give Back This Season
When you help others, you can’t help but help yourself. According to the Mayo Clinic, volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older. Here are a few opportunities to serve the Gatesville community and to connect with others.
1. Gatesville Care Center
Nearly 46,000 Central Texans rely on the Central Texas Food Bank each week for nutritious meals. Volunteer with their local food pantry at the Gatesville Care Center to provide food for families in need.
1. Boys & Girls Club of Gatesville
Help mold the future by volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Gatesville. Volunteers are able to assist in all areas of their youth development programs. Become a homework helper or tutor to a child who needs it! Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
2. Keep Gatesville Beautiful
Help keep our community clean through Keep Gatesville Beautiful. From improvement projects to educational presentations, Keep Gatesville Beautiful has plenty of opportunities to help out.
3. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
While our soldiers care for us, you can care for their pets. Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet provides opportunities to foster a service member’s pet while they’re deployed. If you can’t foster a pet, you can still help! Visit their website for more information.
4. Friends of the Gatesville Public Library
Join a group of educators, homemakers, students and retirees in making our community a better place to live by providing access to a first-rate library. Check out their website to learn more about the Friends of the Gatesville Public Library.
5. Coryell County Museum and Historical Center
The Coryell County Museum is a hidden gem containing the largest collection of spurs in the country and other interesting attractions. To volunteer, visit their Facebook page.
Don’t let your health slip through the cracks during the holidays. Contact your Coryell primary care physician for more wellness tips and personalized advice. For individualized weight loss coaching, call (254) 404-2556 or email weightloss@coryellhealth.org to schedule a consultation with Coach Mardi.
From all of us at Coryell Health, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!