09 Nov Holiday Fitness

At Phelps LaClair, we know it is important to take a break from work and enjoy friends, family and life itself. After all, rest is what rejuvenates us and allows us to reset our priorities and even our direction in life. At this time of year, we set aside time to be with loved ones and enjoy a break from the daily grind. One thing we shouldn’t put aside, however, is maintaining health and wellness. This holiday season, let’s find ways to stay active and eat well.

Activity

For many months, people have been working from home, cooped up in the same space day and night. When you sit at a desk all day long, your body begins to lose muscle tone and your immune system starts to suffer. Long hours of tedious work can create boredom that many seek to defeat through eating. It doesn’t take long for the waistline to begin to bulge! This time of year is a perfect time to address healthy eating and healthy activity.

Everyone knows how beneficial it is to our health to spend time outdoors. From light exercise to a strenuous workout, most exercise is best done in the fresh air. In the autumn and through the winter, the Phoenix Valley has abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation for folks of all ages. The weather is usually perfect for hiking, biking or simply walking in nature. There are parks and attractions for the whole family, including pets! For those who enjoy winter sports, skiing, skating and snowboarding facilities are not far away. The main point is to find an activity that you enjoy and do it!

Diet

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two holidays that everyone associates with an abundance of rich food. The truth is, we need feasts from time to time to celebrate what it means to be alive. But too often, we err on the side of over indulgence. When you sit down to a big meal, it is often wise to set limits on what you are going to eat and drink. Extra helpings of mashed potatoes and gravy may seem like a good idea at the time, but the calories can quickly multiply.

A balanced diet of protein, fat, and carbs is essential for maintaining good health. Resisting the urge to gorge is also important. We are not bears trying to store up fat for a winter hibernation! This is not to say that you should avoid the pumpkin pie (unless you don’t like it); just watch your portion size and stop when you are full. Moderate helpings and limited sugar intake will help keep your insulin response within normal functioning.

Rest

Healthy living includes getting enough sleep. With the many anxieties of modern life, it’s a common reality that many, if not most people, don’t get enough sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. If you are sleep deprived or pregnant, you need even more than that. Seniors, like young adults, need eight to ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. It’s good to remember that naps are not just for babies and toddlers!

Rest can come in other ways than sleep. Meditation, yoga, and cultivating an attitude of gratitude can relieve stress as effectively as a good, long, strenuous workout. Whatever form of rest and renewal works for you should be considered as important as diet and exercise.

Holidays are Milestones

Around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, we often reflect on the year gone by. It is a time for celebrating our victories and learning from our defeats. Hopefully, maintaining health is a victory we can all celebrate.

At Phelps LaClair, we also use this time to assess our goals and make plans for the new year. As estate planners, we are always conscious that a lifetime is a precious gift. We want to live it wisely, not only for ourselves, but for those who will remain after we are gone. If you want to know more about estate planning, give us a call for a free consultation with no obligation. Giving your family the gift of a great estate plan is one of the best things you can do this year.

Images used under creative commons license (Commerical Use) 11/09/2020  Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash