The whirlwind of the holiday season can disrupt our routines, making it easy to lose sight of healthy habits amid non-stop festivities, indulgent meals, endless shopping lists, and packed travel schedules. Be sure to keep these 10 self-care practices on your to-do list to help you prioritize nutrition, health, and happiness, keep holiday stress at bay, and navigate your winter celebrations with a sense of balance, vitality, and joy. 

The holiday season is synonymous with rich comfort foods and dazzling drinks, from decadent baked goods to festive feasts. Balanced nutrition is about practicing moderation, not deprivation. Staying healthy during the holidays doesn’t have to mean denying yourself your grandmother’s famous cookie recipe (she only makes them once a year, after all). By practicing moderation and indulging mindfully, you can avoid derailing your diet and nutrition goals while still enjoying meaningful goodies and celebratory meals. Pay attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, stay conscious of portion sizes, steer clear of mindless snacking at parties, and savor every delicious sip and bite to skip the food coma and keep you feeling light and ready to ring the holidays right.  

It can be easy to get swept up in the busyness of the holidays, but carving out time to slow down and stay in the present moment can help to relieve the pressure of the season and foster greater appreciation for each moment. Whether you set aside time to take a leisurely walk, practice deep breathing, watch your favorite holiday movie, or indulge in your most luxurious skincare routine, be sure to take the time you need to recharge, stay grounded and avoid unnecessary overwhelm.    

Stack your holiday plates with healthy, whole foods to fuel your body through every pageant, sleigh ride, and white elephant exchange. Pile on the lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh produce aplenty. Well-rounded meals will help to sustain your energy and avoid sugar crashes to stay present and bright through memories in the making. And while you’re on the go, from travel plans to mad-dash, last-minute shopping trips, be sure to keep nourishing snacks on hand, like high-protein mixed nuts or high-fiber apple slices.      

Getting sufficient, restorative sleep is critical to our well-being, especially during the holidays, when the hustle-and-bustle’s added stress can compromise our immune systems. A lack of sleep can affect your mood, immunity, overall energy levels, and can even make our hair and skill look dull. Stay bright eyed, healthy, and energized for every ugly sweater party and cookie decorating get-together by aiming for at least seven hours of sleep per night, says the Mayo Clinic. Help yourself wind down for the evening by setting down your phone and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.  

Embrace the season of giving with generosity and kindness. Research shows that, in addition to building community and social connection, volunteering can help us stay healthy by supporting both our mental and physical well-being. Helping others can also help reduce stress and lift our moods by contributing to a sense of fulfillment and keeping us aware of what we are grateful for in our own lives. Consider donating wish list gifts for those in need, organizing a holiday food drive, or volunteering at a local shelter. And, giving back doesn’t have to be costly or take up tons of time this season; even small acts of kindness can make a huge impact.   

Movement can help to keep stress and anxiety levels low, boost immunity and energy, improve sleep quality, and balance holiday diet indulgences. Try signing up for a holiday walk or run to stay active this season to keep your body and mind healthy and strong. Locally-sponsored events, like holiday fun runs and festive 5K walks, are also an excellent opportunity to strengthen social bonds and get involved with your community. If there’s nothing scheduled for the season in your area, invite friends and family to join you for a walking tour of your neighborhood holiday lights or local tree farm to stay active while embracing the holiday spirit. 

Staying on track with your wellness routine can help carry you through the season with more vibrant energy, solid sleep, and a better sense of overall wellness. Do your best to maintain your daily exercise and nutrition regimen, carry a refillable water bottle on outings to make sure you stay properly hydrated, and try not to cancel your weekly yoga class if things get hectic. Maintaining your daily health habits can also help to create consistency, which can mean  feeling more grounded and balanced while traveling or juggling a hectic schedule. 

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One way to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need this holiday season? Fill up on vegetables, packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants that support immunity, healthy digestion, vitality, and overall health. These nutrient-dense foods, like sweet potatoes, leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots, and brussels sprouts, will help to keep you feeling full and avoid overindulging on low-nutrition foods while balancing out rich, heavy holiday meals. 

Because the winter months are prime season for viruses like the common cold and the flu, supporting your immune system during the holidays is key. Prioritize immune-boosting foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, and yogurt. Stay mindful of hygiene and handwashing to minimize exposure to germs, especially during travel, and consider adding an immune-boosting multivitamin or supplement into your holiday routine to strengthen your body’s natural defenses and feel your best all season long.

This may be the season of giving, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. With family gatherings, office parties, community events, and other obligations, it’s important to own your time and set boundaries to avoid burnout and stay happy and healthy throughout the holiday season. Be selective about the commitments you make, schedule downtime between events, and remember that it’s okay to say “no” when you need to. Owning your time will not only help you prevent avoidable stress and fatigue, but make it possible to prioritize and be fully present for what matter to you most. 

Wishing you a happy, peaceful season full of merry moments, bright spirits, balanced well-being, and self-care for the holidays. 

BONUS TIP: To help you skip the guesswork of holiday shopping and give the gift of wellness this year, shop our carefully curated holiday gift guides. From skincare and beauty lovers to fitness fanatics and the wellness obsessed, you’ll find the perfect gift for every loved one on your list.