It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Perhaps, Christmas will be different this year but it’s also a part of the year that we all look forward to, maybe for the gatherings, the food, the merry-making, catching up with friends — new and old — which we may not be able to do this year. It also signifies the end of the year and prepares us for the year ahead (which hopefully is less eventful than the current one).
It’s also the part of the year when most of us experience weight gain and some stress. The traffic in the city morphs to a different level and we do all our last-minute preparations for gifts for godchildren, children, friends and family members. It can be a fun time, yet a time that also challenges our health and well-being.
How can we maintain our health during the Yuletide season?
Maintain your exercise regimen
Hopefully by now, exercise has become a habit. And if you have the ability to keep it constant, do so! Exercise is a good way to beat the stress and burn off the food calories this season. It doesn’t always have to be your normal routines if you’re pressed for time. A condensed HIIT or exercise session often does the trick!
Eat healthy in preparation for Christmas eating
If there’s one thing we can count on to be constant is that we Filipinos will always find a way to celebrate with food! Christmas food and drink are oftentimes calorific, being savory, fatty and carbohydrate-rich. Mitigate this by eating healthy ahead and even after your Christmas meals.
Take care of your mental health
We often get caught up with the busy-ness of the season and forget to take care of ourselves mentally. Take a break and remember the real reason for the season. Take time to take breathers, be thankful and carry on with tasks. Busy does not mean productive, too.
With the current circumstances surrounding our city, as individuals, we have an obligation not only to ourselves but also to our families and the community to celebrate responsibly. Limit gatherings to your closest family members, encourage social distancing, gather outdoors and ensure that precautions are in place.
When we started quarantine, everyone was reminded to think of everyone as a possible carrier of Covid-19. Let’s not be complacent during this time, too.