The holidays have come and gone, but for many of us, the aftermath has left us feeling less than our best.
Between the endless parties, rich food and late nights, it’s no wonder we feel out of sorts. If you’re the type to make New Year’s resolutions, we encourage you to take a look at your habits and make a commitment to getting back into a healthy routine, and start 2026 off right.
Here are tips to help reset health after the holidays and kick off a healthier year:
Get back into a routine
While not everyone may thrive on a strict and rigid schedule, routines can impact your overall wellness.
Those with routines tend to have lower stress levels, better sleep schedules and better health.
Re-establishing healthy habits is key to getting back on track in the new year.
Setting a bedtime will ensure you get enough sleep each night and be well-rested for the next day.
Meal prepping will make eating during a busy schedule much easier while keeping the body nourished.
Getting back into an exercise routine will keep you motivated and moving.
Ultimately, a routine can make you feel more in control of your life and schedule. This can significantly help improve your mental health and reduce anxiety and burnout.
Schedule an annual wellness exam
Start the year off on a healthy note by scheduling an annual wellness exam.
Annual physicals are a crucial step in taking control of and staying informed about health.
These appointments provide a baseline view of health and allow for ongoing monitoring of certain health concerns.
In addition to a screening of overall health and well-being, this visit gives you the opportunity to discuss how you are feeling post-holiday season with your doctor.
Stay on top of your hygiene
No doubt your holiday season was filled with time in crowded malls, busy restaurants and plenty of visits to relatives. This exposure to holiday germs may have already impacted health, but now that the season has passed, it’s essential to take preventive measures against them.
Staying on top of hygiene practices is essential to help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
This includes washing hands regularly, using hand sanitiser when soap and water are not available and avoiding touching the face unnecessarily.
Getting plenty of sleep
The post-holiday season can be a stressful time for many of us—between getting back into our normal routine and managing the stress of a new year, getting enough rest can become an afterthought.
However, getting the right amount of sleep each night is essential to your overall health and functioning.
Sleep is a time of repair for the body. It prepares the brain for another day of thinking, learning and doing, also while giving your immune system time to produce proteins that combat infection and inflammation.
The amount of sleep you need will depend on your age, though most adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night to give their body the time it needs to recharge and repair itself.
Additionally, try to establish a pre-bedtime routine that will help make it easier to fall asleep at the same time each night.
Exercise
After eating too much, drinking too much, travelling and staying up way past our bedtime, some of us may want to ease back into an exercise routine after the holidays. However, physical activity can be a great way to reset health and kick off a healthier year!
Exercising regularly has been known to:
• Improve physical and mental health
• Boost energy levels
• Promote better sleep quality
• Reduce stress
• Help maintain a healthy weight
• Increase mobility and stamina
Changing eating habits
While indulging in pies and cookies can be one of the most fun parts of the holiday season, this time of year often leads to a decrease in healthy eating overall.
As the new year begins, many take the time to assess their eating habits and make a change.
Not only can eating healthy be one of the most difficult lifestyle changes to make and maintain, but it is also one of the most important.
Eating healthier meals has numerous long-term health benefits. It can help you achieve better overall health, lower your risk for chronic diseases, increase energy levels, improve digestion and even help with weight loss.
A few simple changes to eating habits can make all the difference, such as:
• Eating smaller portions throughout the day
• Replacing processed and sugary snacks with healthier options such as fruits and vegetables
• Incorporating more fresh ingredients into meals
• Cutting down on caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Drinking more water
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
