How to make the most of the holidays this year

The weather outside may be frightful, but that’s no reason to feel that way inside. When people think about the holidays, they often envision sitting by the fireplace, surrounded by loved ones, as snow gently falls outside. But for many of us, it’s a hectic time, filled with last-minute shopping, family obligations, financial woes, and many other stresses that ruin our days and poison our nights.

Here are five tips to help you stay healthy and happy throughout the holiday season:

This year, opt for one glass of wine instead of five, and one slice of pie instead of the whole pie. Studies suggest that the average weight gain during the holidays is just over two pounds. It has also been shown that individuals who are already overweight tend to gain significantly more weight, with a cumulative effect over the years. It's no surprise that alcohol consumption also tends to increase during the holidays. The bottom line? Have fun, but balance your unhealthy choices with enough healthy ones.

Holiday stress, along with the shorter, darker daylight hours associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), often contribute to anxiety and depressionⁱ. To help beat the winter blues, many people turn to vitamin D3 supplementation, as well as full-spectrum light therapyⁱⁱ. Additionally, consider consuming relaxation-promoting nutrients, including magnesium bisglycinateⁱⁱⁱ, and gentle, non-sedative natural compounds, such as GABA and L-theanine^iv.

Exercise is another excellent remedy for beating holiday stress. Jumping on the treadmill, lifting weights, or even taking a brisk walk can help you get through the season. Regular exercise (30 minutes, 5 days a week) of moderate intensity can improve sleep, promote digestion, and alleviate anxietyⁱ.

When our gut isn’t happy, we aren’t happy (literally), as digestive imbalances are linked to higher rates of anxiety and depressionⁱ, as well as a host of immune issues. Heal your gut with a healthy diet rich in fiber and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi. Probiotic supplementation can also help reduce respiratory infection rates and flu-like symptomsⁱⁱ. So, consider a clinically validated strain like Lactobacillus plantarum 299vⁱⁱⁱ.

Nothing can stop the holiday cheer like a cold or flu. So this year, be sure to give your immune system a boost with vitamin C from dietary sources like citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, or sweet potatoes, or from a high-quality supplement. When choosing a supplement, consider a less acidic form like Ester-C^®, which is easy on the stomachⁱ and proven to support the immune system for 24 hoursⁱⁱ.

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