The holidays are an eXceptional time of the year, but can interrupt your healthy and active lifestyle.  The “to-do” list is endless and your stress level rises. You can stay on track, look and feel even better this holiday season. Many people set New Year’s resolutions to change their lifestyle, but why waste months when you can now.

1. Exercise
Exercise allows you to get out your frustrations in a healthy way and reduces your stress level.  By reducing stress and allowing you some “me” time, exercise makes you a better mom, spouse and friend as well as a more productive employee.Contrary to people who say they are too tired to exercise, regular exercise energizes you.  Exercise burns calories which will allow you to indulge a little more without feeling guilty. Regular cardio exercise is good for your heart. The benefits of staying on track with your workouts or even starting a new program for that matter will far outweigh the time and effort it takes to get to the gym, the track, the treadmill or wherever you work out.

2. Plan your time wisely.
Focus on the things that are really important, next focus on the “would like to do” items and then on the obligations that you committed to that you really don’t have time for and you really don’t want to do. Eliminate anything you don’t want to do immediately to reduce stress.

3. Stick with your workout and activities.
Your workouts are important all year long but especially at this time of the year. You need to push yourself to next in order to burn those extra calories from dinner events, cocktail hour and holiday cookies.

4. Eat healthy.
When you are in control of what you are eating and you aren’t being subjected to a party buffet, make the best choices you can. Getting lots of nutrients in your body will help keep you healthy and will also work to balance out the times that you have that special occasion and want to indulge.

5. Get enough sleep.
Sleeping is one of the only free things we can do and have complete control over, yet we don’t get enough sleep.  Instead, people spend money on costly anti-aging treatments, multi vitamins and other spa treatments.  Yet the free “miracle” frud is sleep!

6.   Don’t take on more than you can handle.
This time of year it is so easy to get caught up in saying yes. Saying yes increases your stress level, takes away from valuable sleeping time and negatively effects your mood.