It can be quite a challenge to get through the holidays without added stress. All the pressure can cause people to bite off more than they can chew, both literally and figuratively. Here are some tips from Human Resources’ Employee Health Promotion Program to keep healthy during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year.
Be realistic.
This is not the time to start something new. Think about what can reasonably be accomplished during the holidays. It is difficult to enjoy activities when you have run yourself ragged.
Schedule time for yourself.
It is easy to forget about yourself in the rush to accomplish all the holiday tasks – shopping, baking, sending out greeting cards, etc. Pencil in some time to do something for you, such as sleeping in, reading a good book or going to see a movie.
Think small.
Short on time? Invite friends over for dessert, appetizers or breakfast instead of the more labor-intensive, traditional soup-to-nuts celebration.
Plan to maintain your weight; do not expect to lose.
Try to exercise a bit more to make up for the extra calories you will be consuming. Remember that exercise is also a great stress-buster.
Think before you drink.
Alcohol contains a lot of calories and stimulates the appetite. Some cream liqueurs contain up to 450 calories per serving.
Cut the fat.
Holiday celebrations usually have rich, calorie-laden foods. It is possible to modify recipes without sacrificing taste.
One size fits all.
Consider teaming up with family, friends or colleagues to make a donation to a charity instead of buying individual gifts.
EHPP has resources to help UNM employees stay healthy at any time of year. For more information, visit hr.unm.edu and click EHPP or call 272-4460.
By Mary Jo Quintana, senior program manager, Employee Health Promotion Program