Holiday health tips

‘Tis the season to indulge, overeat, forget to eat, drink too much, or forget to hydrate during all that festive fun.

Health experts say there’s no reason not to enjoy stress-free celebrations, if you follow a few simple tips, such as these below:

• Stuffing is for turkeys, not people so resist the urge to stuff yourself. Don’t skip regular meals, and don’t fill up on nibbles before the main course.
• Start your day with a healthy and balanced breakfast (or brunch).
• Listen to your body. Research has shown it takes 20 minutes for your brain to know you are full, so if you’re contemplating seconds, take a break before piling up your plate again.
• Eat slowly. Try to eat slowly and focus on socialising rather than eating. This will give your stomach time to signal it’s not really hungry anymore.
• Try healthy alternatives, such as salads, fish, and brown rice.
• Stay hydrated. Alternate each drink (beer, wine, tea, coffee, spirits, cocktails) with a glass of water throughout the day.
• Stay active. Yes, it’s time to relax, but don’t be tempted to sit around all day. Twenty minutes of exercise is all you need, so take a walk, a swim, or break out the tennis racquets.
• Relax the rules. Overindulging occasionally doesn’t hurt, so be kind to yourself.
• Make time for yourself. Avoid a heavy schedule and whirlwind of festivities. Take time to relax and unwind. A good sleep, or a pamper session will work wonders.