Nine healthy Christmas traditions and why you should adopt at least one
Many of us spend the days surrounding Christmas vegging out and over indulging. Often we're left bloated, hungover or with raging indigestion, which can lead to a low mood and weight gain. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Injecting your horizontal plans with a few new traditions can boost both your physical and mental health.
From going for a walk after a big meal to taking part in a festive fun and a family sing, there are plenty of ways to incorporate better habits into your festive season.
Healthy Christmas traditions to adopt this year
Go for a Boxing Day walk
If you don't have time to squeeze a walk into Christmas Day, scheduling one for the day after to help your digestive system along after lots of indulging in rich foods will help you feel more comfortable. Studies have found that walking has excellent benefits for your digestive system, as it increases blood flow to the gut, which moves food and gas along, according to Taylor Clark, physiologist at AXA Health.
Brave a cold-water swim
Originating in Ireland, this festive tradition has caught globally as a cold-water outdoor swim has a hosts of benefits. Research has found that cold water swimming can improve your mood, relieve pain, reduce feelings of depression, as well as all the cardiovascular benefits of swimming. Many people choose to go for an outdoor swim on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day and there are organised events across the country to get involved in.
Watch an uplifting Christmas film
Renew your energy this festive season by watching your favourite feel-good Christmas film. Mental health charities such as Mind and Shout encourage anyone who is struggling to watch their favourite comfort films or TV shows, as it can help boost dopamine as well as offer a form of escapism. Rest and enjoy some relaxation as you watch one of your favourite holiday films, you’ll feel better for it in 2025.
Sing carols
Break up Christmas Day with a couple of songs around the piano or smart speaker. The Sing Up Foundation says that singing can improve your health and wellbeing as it’s an activity that helps relieve stress and tension, lowers cortisol and improves feelings of depression. Singing also helps to improve your breathing and immune systems and is an aerobic activity that would help with digestion after a big meal.
Have a kitchen dance party
If you love playing festive songs playing on Christmas Day, set aside 30 minutes for an all-family kitchen dance party. Dancing is not only a wonderful form of movement for your physical health, research has found it also acts as a form of therapy to positively improve your mental wellbeing. It can help reduce feelings of loneliness and offer everyone a mid-afternoon boost as the lethargy sets in after a big lunch.
Go on a festive fun run
Over the festive period there are numerous Christmas themed walks and fun runs to get involved with, some of which are run by mental health charities such as Mind. Complete the short distance in festive fancy dress and enjoy the benefits of a walk or run with your local community. This has been proven to help tackle feelings of loneliness and depression, as well as improve your cardiovascular and aid digestion.
Bake healthy treats
With so many delicious treats on offer around Christmas such as mince pies, sausage rolls, yule log, it can be tempting to overindulge. The British Heart Foundation encourages everyone over Christmas to be mindful of what they’re eating and how it could impact their health. Instead of buying biscuits or cakes, why not turn it into a fun, family activity? Bake some healthier festive cookies or snacks that have lower sugar and reduce the amount of processed foods you eat this Christmas.
Play games
Many adults stop playing board games or quizzes as children, but there are a host of mental health benefits to playing a game or two this Christmas. It can help people relax and feel more creative, spontaneous and present, the BBC found, as games can help to stimulate your brain and engage it in new ways to encourage a more playful attitude. It might be time to dust off that set of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit in the cupboard.
Take time to reflect
Similar to the American tradition of Thanksgiving, take a moment this Christmas when everyone is seated around the table to reflect on the year that’s passed. What are your grateful for? Research has found that practicing gratitude can make you feel happier, improve relationships, boost self esteem and reduce feelings of depression or sadness. It can also help strengthen our positive perspective to see the good in the little things in life.
Read more about Christmas and health:
How to cope if you or a loved one are in hospital at Christmas (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
What causes a hangover and how can you avoid them in the first place? (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
15 ways to keep your weight in check this Christmas (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
