Staying Active During the Holiday Season: A Guide to Maintaining Health and Fitness
The holiday season is a wonderful time filled with family, food, and fun. But between all the tasty treats and gatherings, it can be easy to forget about staying active. For people living with diabetes, keeping up with physical activity is even more important to maintain good health.
Here are some simple and fun ways to stay active during the holiday season, and why it’s crucial for managing diabetes.
Fun Ways to Stay Active Over the Holidays
You don’t need to go to the gym to stay active during the holidays! Here are some ideas to fit physical activity into your celebrations:
- Sneaking in Extra Steps: Look for ways to stay active without even realizing it! Take the stairs instead of the elevator, park a little farther from the store, or make an extra lap around the mall. These little things add up and help keep you moving.
- Dancing at Holiday Parties: Whether you’re at a family gathering or a holiday party, dancing is a great way to stay active. Put on some holiday music and you’ll be burning calories without even realizing it.
- Getting Active As a Family: Encourage guests to pack workout clothes or sports gear so everyone can join in on the fun. Go for an after-meal walk, play catch, or even sign up for a holiday race. If you have kids around, play games like tag, hide and seek! Indoors, you can play games like charades or even have a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. These activities keep everyone moving and laughing.
- Winter Sports: If you live in a place where it snows, try fun winter activities like ice skating, sledding, or building a snowman. Even shoveling snow can be a workout! If there’s no snow, you can still stay active by biking, hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
- Holiday Chores: Expecting holiday guests? Turn up the holiday tunes and make it fun! Use the opportunity to do some deep cleaning. Dusting, sweeping, bending, and reaching all help keep you flexible and active. Decorating the house, setting up for parties, and cleaning up afterward are also great ways to stay active.
- Stay Hydrated: It’s easy to forget to drink water when it’s cold outside, but staying hydrated is just as important in winter. Dry air can make you feel dehydrated, so keep a bottle handy, especially when you’re on the go!
Making Physical Activity a Priority
During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in all the things to do, but try to make physical activity part of your holiday routine. Setting a goal can help. Target at least 30 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be all at once. You can break it up into shorter sessions. And involve your family and loved ones. You’ll contribute to your overall fitness while strengthening bonds!
Why Staying Active Matters
Regular physical activity helps your body use insulin more effectively, which is especially important if you have diabetes. It can also help control your blood sugar levels, manage your weight, and boost your mood. With all the extra food and sweets during the holidays, staying active can balance out the treats while keeping your energy up.
Regular exercise can help your muscles use more glucose, which lowers the amount of sugar in your blood. It can also make your body more sensitive to insulin, helping it work better. This can prevent spikes in blood sugar that may come with holiday treats. Finally, staying active can help control weight, potentially reducing the risk of complications related to diabetes.
Moving Forward
The holiday season is a time to celebrate, but it’s also important to take care of your health. By finding fun and simple ways to stay active, you can enjoy all the joys of the holidays while keeping your body in good shape. Whether you’re dancing, walking, or playing in the snow, being active is a great gift to give yourself.
Happy holidays—and stay moving!
Author: Kelley Soucy, RN, CDCES | CCS Health
This site is for educational purposes only. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.
