TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The holiday season is a time of joy, connection and celebration, but it can also be one of the trickiest parts of the year to maintain your health and wellness routine. Between family gatherings, travel, colder weather and endless treats, it’s easy to let healthy habits slip. With these simple tips, you can enjoy the season and stay consistent with your fitness and nutrition goals.
Stay Hydrated (Yes, Even in the Cold!)
Hydration is essential in winter, especially around the holidays. Cold air and indoor heating both reduce humidity and dry out your respiratory system, meaning you can become dehydrated without realizing it. Staying hydrated helps your body regulate temperature, supports digestion and nutrient transport, and keeps your energy and focus strong — all of which matter if you’re juggling workouts, social events and travel. Hydration also supports immune function, which is particularly important during cold and flu season. Drinking warm water, herbal teas or even hydrating soups can help make it easier to get enough fluids when it’s chilly out.
Make Time for Relaxation
It’s easy to fill your calendar with holiday to-dos, but don’t underestimate making yourself a priority, too. Stress can trigger increased cortisol, which may contribute to increased hunger and fat storage, especially around the midsection. Taking time to relax isn’t indulgence; it’s maintenance. Practices like yoga, gentle stretching or meditation not only soothe your nervous system, but they also help reduce anxiety, improve sleep and leave you feeling ready to tackle your day with intention. Even a short yoga flow between errands can help reset your mind and body.
Just Keep Moving
Your gym schedule might look a little different in December, and that’s OK! Staying active doesn’t mean you have to hit the exact same numbers you did in October. Plan your workouts like appointments and build movement into your day wherever you can. Taking a few extra laps while holiday shopping, walking around the neighborhood to see the lights, squeezing in body-weight exercises between cooking tasks — all of it counts. Keeping movement a priority helps manage stress, boosts energy and supports your overall metabolism during a season that tempts us to slow down.
Balance Your Nutrition
Holiday meals are often rich and indulgent. (That’s part of what makes them special.) But balancing heavier dinners with lighter lunches and bringing healthy snacks along to parties can help your body feel steady and satisfied. Packing fruits, nuts or a protein bar in your bag means you’ll have nourishing choices on hand when hunger strikes. Filling up on lean proteins and fiber-rich veggies first can also help you enjoy holiday favorites without overeating.
Enjoy Treats Without Shame
One of the most important holiday wellness tips: Give yourself permission to enjoy! Restricting yourself or spiraling into guilt after enjoying dessert can take the joy out of the season, and addiction to perfection rarely supports lasting wellness. A healthy mindset around food and movement recognizes that seasonal treats are part of life and consistency over time matters more.
We hope these tips help you navigate the holiday season feeling energized, balanced and confident in your routine. Remember, fitness and wellness don’t have to be all-or-nothing, especially during this busy time of year.
If you’re looking for support and structure, we’re here for you. Our class schedule offers 30-minute options throughout the day, every day of the week, making it easy to fit movement into even the fullest holiday calendar. From all of us at Freight House, we wish you a happy, healthy holiday season and look forward to moving with you through the new year!