Why We’re Ditching Guilt This Festive Season

With the end-of-year holiday period upon us, many of us here at Sweat and in the wider Sweat Community are looking forward to the chance to unwind and spend time with our loved ones. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, are at home or abroad, or simply relish a bit of downtime to recharge your batteries, we know that for many people this can be a tricky time when it comes to sticking to a consistent health and fitness routine. 

Before you think we’re about to suggest skipping dessert or dish out advice on the exact minutes of exercise required to burn off a roast dinner with all the toppings, stop right there. Absolutely not. There’s far more that goes into having a happy, healthy holiday season.

While we understand how easy it can be to feel a sense of guilt when your usual routine goes a bit AWOL during the festive season, especially if you’ve been working hard to create healthy habits and achieve your goals, we believe a healthy lifestyle goes hand in hand with balance, enjoyment, socialising and celebrating. 

If meal prep and regular Sweat sessions have been pushed aside recently to make room for family gatherings, friendsgiving or friendsmas celebrations, or a few weeks of chilling out and recharging to better your mental wellbeing, you’ve got a big thumbs up from us. The more joy, the better.

From us to you, here are some of our top tips for making the festive period feel great.

Move for your mood

Life can get a little topsy-turvy over this period, so don’t be afraid to make some tweaks to your exercise routine. 

If sticking to your regular Sweat schedule makes you feel your best, power to you! We love to see it! Otherwise, we suggest moving your body each day in ways that work for you. Remember, reaping the benefits of exercise doesn’t always have to involve a structured workout. 

You could enjoy a hike, a bike ride, a snowball fight, a swim, a yoga flow in your bedroom, a game of tennis, a dance party, or an afternoon of backyard cricket. 

Focus on moving your body to have fun, feel good, get fresh air and boost your mood, and cast aside any thoughts about missing workouts or burning off calories. 

Water is your best friend

Over the silly season when there are plenty of occasions to eat and drink, one of the easiest things to forget about is hydration. You’re wondering why you feel so lethargic and your digestion is feeling off, only to realise you’ve only had one glass of water all day. Oops.

Drinking plenty of water helps to support a range of bodily functions, including digestion, skin health, brain function and the transportation of nutrients to your cells. Staying hydrated is also essential if you’re in a hot climate or drinking alcoholic beverages as they dehydrate you faster.

Notice the good stuff

One of the best things you can do for your health and mindset at any time of year is to practice gratitude. The holidays can come with unique challenges around relationships, finances and stress, but doing your best to focus on everything you are thankful for can make a big difference. 

Not sure how? Each morning when you wake, you could write down three things you’re grateful for from the previous day, get into the habit of mentally saying “thank you” each time something good happens, or verbally express your thanks to the people around you. 

Making gratitude a priority can also help on days when things aren’t feeling so festive. Be gentle with yourself and know that you’re doing your best. Looking for something extra? You could also check out these beautiful self-love affirmations!

Fit in fruit and veggies

Christmas pudding and sufganiyot might become their own food group during the festive season, but you’re going to feel so much better if you continue to eat some fruit and veg. Produce, fresh or frozen, provides your body with essential nutrients, fibre and hydration to help you thrive, as well as strengthening your immune system.

Some easy ways to continue getting your 5+ a day include keeping your fruit bowl topped up for quick snacks, always adding some salad or vegetable dishes to your plate, enjoying fruit as part of dessert, or having pre-cut veggie sticks and dips ready in the fridge.

Be mindful of social media

This is a time of year when your Instagram feed is blowing up with holiday snaps and smiling faces, so it can be a good time to set some intentions around how you use social media. 

Perhaps you limit the time spent on it to be more present with your loved ones, check in with your mental health before opening apps, or simply remind yourself that what you’re seeing is a highlight reel. We all have ups and downs, and the holiday season is no exception to that!

From the team at Sweat, we wish you happy holidays and a whole lot of festive fun. We’ll see you in 2023 for another year of epic workouts, smashing goals, and learning what you’re truly capable of. We can’t wait.