The holidays are meant for family, food, and fun. With everything going on during this time, it can be easy to lose your normal healthy routine and fall victim to unhealthy habits.
Here are 5 bad habits to avoid this holiday season:
Overeating
Overeating is so easy during the holidays. Everything is so delicious, so going up for seconds or thirds can seem like a good decision. Overeating for a few days in a row may seem harmless, but it can start you on a bad habit and cause some scary health problems and chronic illnesses down the road. Overeating can cause weight gain, digestive issues, and if done for a long period of time, can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
Forgetting to Drink Water
Eggnog, hot chocolate, cider, and more! With so many yummy drink options it can be easy to forget to stay hydrated and drink water. Water plays a key role in keeping the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems healthy and running smoothly. Drinking water can help you lose weight. It boosts your metabolism and can help keep your digestive system working properly. It can also help flush out toxins in the body and help keep your skin clear and healthy. Water can keep your body temperature regulated, keep you hydrated, and help keep your pH balance in check. Water also has the power to help with chronic pain like rheumatoid arthritis, backaches, and osteoporosis.
Staying Indoors
It's easy to stay indoors over the holidays especially during cold weather. Try to get outside and play some games or take a walk with your family. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, setting aside 20 to 25 minutes for a daily brisk walk can add 7 years to your life. These daily walks will not only be enjoyable but will help keep you young by repairing old DNA and triggering the anti-aging process. Taking a walk can also keep your heart and brain health.
Staying indoors can also lead to a decrease in your vitamin D levels. Low levels of Vitamin D can cause a number of side effects that include feeling depressed, mood swings, weight gain, chronic pain, inflammation, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and digestion problems. Vitamin D can also lead to severe health issues like heart disease, and lower immune function.
Loading up on Sweets
All of your favorite sweet treats like cookies, cupcakes, and pie are filled with added sugar. Sugar can raise your cholesterol levels which can lead to cardiovascular disease, which is the #1 killer in the world. Sugar is also addicting. When you eat sugar it causes your brain to release dopamine, similar to what drugs do. If you eat sugar on a daily basis it may be harder to cut back and change your diet. Sugar can cause insulin resistance and can mess with your blood pressure and may lead you down a path to serious illnesses that include diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and heart disease.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Late nights and early mornings are common during the holiday season, especially if you're spending it with family. Make sure you're getting the necessary 6-8 hours a night and don't skimp on sleep! When we sleep, our bodies are busy at work repairing what ails us physically and providing for our mental health. Lack of sleep can impact our cognitive skills and emotional status. Lack of sleep can also cause weight gain.
At LongevityMed, we can help you get on the right path toward a healthier life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
