The Importance of Wellness During the Holidays
When there’s a chill in the air and the holiday festivities begin your routine is often forced to change. Parties, plans, shopping, and cooking fill our calendars this time of year but what are you gifting yourself? Be merry and bright this holiday season! We’ve put together a few holiday wellness tips you can use to make sure you’re healthy and happy now and for the rest of the year.
- Your seasonal shopping shouldn’t only be about holiday gifts. Making sure that your kitchen is stocked with healthy meal options is SO essential this time of year. The simpler your meals are to prep the more likely you’ll be to eat them; the holiday season can be pretty busy and thinking ahead is necessary.
- Planning meals out in advance is especially helpful when you have to BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) to a gathering. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment from one soiree to the next and lose track of what you’re eating. You can encourage your family and friends to be well by bringing along a healthy dish. This way, you can always count on at least one healthy option on the table.
- Stay active and schedule your workouts. We’re serious, write them on your calendar just like you would an office party or important appointment. If your exercises include a group style class, it can be helpful to sign up in advance or plan to go with a friend. Doing so might make it easier to keep your plans! Missed a class or two? No worries. Take an extra-long walk or turn up some holiday tunes and clean the house. Keeping it active now will set you up for success next year.
- Relaxation doesn’t just feel good; it’s beneficial to your health and overall wellness. Your mind and your body work together to create calm and taking slow, and deep breaths do make a difference in the way your body feels. For instance, in a tough situation, taking a deep breath can send a signal to your brain that things are going to be ok. Don’t get too worked up over the hustle and bustle, take time to chill!
How Infrared Sessions Can Soothe Your Soul this Season
Infrared sessions create a physically comfortable atmosphere, and we hear from body wrap lovers regularly, they are falling asleep while wrapping and getting some much-needed R&R. And let’s just say, they need it. The American Institute of Stress estimates that 75 to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems.
The more stressed you are, the more cortisol your body produces. One of the amazing things about infrared is that it can help maintain healthy levels of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is your fight or flight hormone, made in your adrenal glands. This is the hormone that raises your heart rate and blood pressure when you get stressed, and those with high cortisol levels may experience health issues, trouble sleeping, weight gain and more.
During an infrared session, your cortisol levels may remain stable or increase ever-so-slightly. Upon completion of an infrared experience, your cortisol levels can drop quite drastically, and this is when the magic happens. Infrared lovers often report that they experience a lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure and an overall sense of well-being after just one infrared session.
Finally, don’t forget to be in the moment! So often we get caught up in all the things we should be doing, we forget to take a moment to ourselves and just experience the holidays. Not only is this good for your mental well-being, but it can also help you stay well, too.