FitU with Phindi Gule: Staying Healthy during the holidays
The festive season is a time of celebration, togetherness, and happiness.
Yet, they can bring challenges to our physical and emotional health. In this week's edition of #FitU, Phindi shares eight tips on how to stay on a healthy path during this holiday season.
It's common to pack on extra kilograms during the holiday season, but there are ways you can eat both healthy and well! Know which foods are high in caloric content and low in nutrition. Don’t deprive yourself of such treats, but indulge in moderation. Eat smaller meals instead of “saving yourself” for one huge buffet. Opt for healthy options at home, and when visiting others, bring a healthy dish to share. Be careful of liquid calories, including alcoholic beverages.
READ: #FitU with Phindi Gule: The importance of setting a Goal and a Training Programme
Stay active
Exercise is just as important during the holidays as any other time of the year. You should be active at least four to five times a week - which can be easily achieved. With KZN being a popular holiday destination, traffic becomes a nightmare during the holidays so save yourself from the traffic and walk to your destination.
Stay Hydrated
Be on the lookout for reports of extreme weather (Durban's HEAT). Drink enough water and less fizzy drinks. Protect your eyes and wear sunglasses. Wear sunscreen at all times and a hat if possible.
Be Safe
Don't drink and drink. If you will still be training around this time, be on the lookout for those people coming back from parties early in the morning when you are out running or cycling.
READ:#FitU with Phindi Gule: The best way to get the stench out of workout clothes
De-stress (Mental Health)
Holidays can be stressful. You may be working, and feel the stress of managing your work duties along with additional commitments to your friends and family. You may feel the financial stress of gifts and the interpersonal stress of conflicts. Try to anticipate sources of stress and develop a plan to manage them. This may involve committing to fewer get-togethers or setting a tighter budget. Don’t feel guilty; you have to take care of yourself before you can take of others.
Help others
Depression and suicides increase during the holidays. Watch out for signs of depression amongst your friends and family. Take an active role to support those in need. Invite those colleagues or friends who are alone over the holidays to spend time with you. Volunteer and give to those less fortunate.
ALSO READ: #FitU with Phindi Gule: Here's why you shouldn't exercise when sick
Treat yourself
The holiday spirit is about helping others around you, but you also have to make time to take care of yourself. So treat yourself to something over the holidays. It may be something as simple as sleep. Wake up late and enjoy a day of rest; you need it. Do things that make YOU happy... read that book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time or get a manicure or massage?
Just make YOU happy.
Listen as Phindi shares her tips on how to staying Healthy during the holidays in the podcast then read more below:
Stay active
Exercise is just as important during the holidays as any other time of the year. You should be active at least four to five times a week - which can be easily achieved. With KZN being a popular holiday destination, traffic becomes a nightmare during the holidays so save yourself from the traffic and walk to your destination.
Stay Hydrated
Be on the lookout for reports of extreme weather (Durban's HEAT). Drink enough water and less fizzy drinks. Protect your eyes and wear sunglasses. Wear sunscreen at all times and a hat if possible.
Be Safe
Don't drink and drink. If you will still be training around this time, be on the lookout for those people coming back from parties early in the morning when you are out running or cycling.
READ:#FitU with Phindi Gule: The best way to get the stench out of workout clothes
De-stress (Mental Health)
Holidays can be stressful. You may be working, and feel the stress of managing your work duties along with additional commitments to your friends and family. You may feel the financial stress of gifts and the interpersonal stress of conflicts. Try to anticipate sources of stress and develop a plan to manage them. This may involve committing to fewer get-togethers or setting a tighter budget. Don’t feel guilty; you have to take care of yourself before you can take of others.
Help others
Depression and suicides increase during the holidays. Watch out for signs of depression amongst your friends and family. Take an active role to support those in need. Invite those colleagues or friends who are alone over the holidays to spend time with you. Volunteer and give to those less fortunate.
ALSO READ: #FitU with Phindi Gule: Here's why you shouldn't exercise when sick
Treat yourself
The holiday spirit is about helping others around you, but you also have to make time to take care of yourself. So treat yourself to something over the holidays. It may be something as simple as sleep. Wake up late and enjoy a day of rest; you need it. Do things that make YOU happy... read that book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time or get a manicure or massage?
Just make YOU happy.