You need to know the truth about these holiday health myths!
Lunches, dinners, parties, outings, and so on. This is how the holiday season looks for many of us. It sounds like a fun time when you see all the people you love and you finally get the time to stay together for a while.
Considering all of this, you might also be trying to keep yourself healthy during this season, right? This is a very special time of the year but is also very stressful and chaotic. This can easily create imbalances that will be later felt in your body.
During the holidays, we do less physical activity, and also we make poorer food choices. According to an American Heart Association survey conducted in 2023, holidays are considered more stressful than taxes, and more than a third of those questioned believe they neglected their health during the holidays.
Since this has become a trending topic, there is no surprise that holiday health myths resurfaced, and the best way to combat them is to be informed. Read on and discover the medical facts.
You can skip the exercise part
Finding the time to exercise during the holidays is a real challenge. You always have something to do, and it seems like your exercise routine can no longer fit into your schedule. In fact, nearly 45% of people admit to pausing their workout routines during this time, and the main reason is exactly this lack of time.
But according to health experts, you should do your best and still exercise. Pausing your exercise routine is one of the holiday health myths you should never listen to. Going out for a little jogging or going to the gym is great because it consumes some extra calories and also helps you clear your mind.
How do you stay active during this busy season? All you have to do is be flexible and creative. If your unusual workout routine gets disrupted, you should try to integrate more physical activity into your new routine.
For example, if you have to go out and buy gifts, leaving the car at home is possible, and you choose to walk. Or you can try to ride the bike everywhere you need to be.
It’s also important to remember that while exercise is fantastic for your heart and overall well-being, it’s not a free pass for unhealthy eating. You should still try to be balanced and careful about what you are eating.
Sleep is for later
Of all holiday health myths, this one is truly dangerous because if you want to feel well during such a stressful time, you need to sleep. Surviving on minimal sleep is not a good idea because the whole “you can make up for it later” thing is not working.
It is very common for people to simply overlook sleep, but this is one of the cornerstones of a healthy life and plays a big role in how our bodies function. During sleep, your body repairs itself, consolidates memories, and resets for the next day. Your body needs this time, and skipping is just risky.
Long-term sleep deprivation increases the chances of heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and possibly dementia. In the end, skipping sleep is for sure not a Christmas present for your health.
The National Institutes of Health say you can start by having a consistent sleep schedule, which means you respect it every day, even during weekends. Also, you can try to stay in sunlight for at least 30 minutes per day, as this also helps because it regulates your natural clock.
Before going to bed, make sure your meals are light, as you don’t want your body to focus on digestion when bedtime approaches. Also, during the day, stick only to brief naps.
Skipping meals helps you eat fewer calories
A list of holiday health myths wouldn’t be complete without this one. Skipping meals just to “save up calories” for the holidays is a terrible idea. This is not how it works, and even worse, it can backfire.
There are some studies that showed us how skipping a meal here and there can help lower blood sugar levels and also reduce cholesterol levels, but there are other studies that found out this practice can lead to overeating later on.
When you miss meals, your levels of hunger hormones rise, leading you to eat a larger amount than you meant at your next meal. But skipping meals can do much more harm than overeating. This practice is also linked to a higher mortality risk.
Instead of focusing on skipping meals, you should try to simply eat healthier and, even more importantly, try to create a routine. A sustainable eating pattern is key, and this is what you should strive for.
Eat more balanced meals that are full of nutrients. Protein, fiber, and healthy fats should all be included. This keeps you feeling satisfied and energized throughout the day. If you’re going to a large holiday meal, have a small, balanced snack beforehand—such as yogurt with fruit or a small amount of nuts—to prevent arriving hungry.
Drinking more alcohol on holidays is not a big deal
We know very well that during the holidays people tend to drink more alcoholic beverages. Alcohol sales during December are generally bigger compared to what we see the rest of the year, and, for example, the 2022 statistics showed they were 37% higher than the rest of the year. These numbers are huge, but they help us understand better what is truly happening in the world around us.
Furthermore, in 2022, the World Health Organization reported that there is no safe quantity of alcohol intake that is not harmful to one’s health. Excessive amounts are definitely harmful. Doctors believe it is connected to heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and obesity.
If eliminating alcohol entirely isn’t an option, consider restricting yourself to one glass at celebrations and then moving to sparkling water or another low-calorie, alcohol-free beverage.
You will always stress during the holidays
Since we are here to discuss holiday health myths, we want to tell you that this is not true, and no matter the time of the year, you can still relax and have some time just for yourself. Yes, this is an overwhelming time, and stress might seem unavoidable, but you should try to stand your ground and take some intentional steps toward a calmer life.
First of all, try to get enough sleep. Aim for 7 to 9 hours each night to keep your energy levels stable and your mood balanced. Rest is very important if you don’t want stress to put you down, and sleeping is the greatest way to achieve that.
So what do you think about all of this? Are things clearer for you now? Not everything people say about holidays and how they impact your health is true, and being informed is the best thing you can do to protect yourself from false information. These were the most common holiday health myths!
If you are interested in exercising more at home, you might need these: Amazon Basics Neoprene Dumbbell Hand Weights
You should also read: 9 Unhealthy Foods You Always Thought Were Nutritious
