It’s almost here!  Christmas is almost here!  I am super excited to celebrate Christmas with my family and take some time to just relax and enjoy the season.  While this is the most wonderful time of year, it can quickly become the most stressful time of year.  Baking, buying and wrapping presents, going to concerts/programs/pageants, watching all the Christmas movies, planning the big dinner…. It can all add up to a pretty hectic month.

On top of all that, you’re probably going to be doing some kind of traveling this week.  Whether it’s a few minutes, hours, or a day away, traveling can take a toll.  Plus, being out of your normal routine and in a new place can sometimes put your whole body out of whack.

Traveling and Christmas doesn’t mean you have to throw all of your regular healthy habits out the window.  In fact, this is the best time to keep up with your normal routine so that you can enjoy your holiday without feeling crummy.

Here are a few things that you can do to make sure you have the happiest, and healthiest, Christmas season!

Plan Your Food

Traveling is not the time to just wing it when it comes to your food.  You wouldn’t show up to the airport without a ticket and hope there was a plane with an open seat just happening to go to your destination.  Don’t leave your eating up to chance either!

Plan out a few healthy snacks to bring along with you.  Things like fruit, nuts, seeds, hard boiled eggs, and cut up vegetables all make really good portable snacks.  You never know if you’re going to be stranded somewhere where the best option for food is the local gas station.  If you need a few ideas for some good snacks, check out these homemade ones on my recipe page!

Hydrate Like Crazy

This is really a reminder for me because I am horrible at drinking enough water regularly.  I just get so busy doing things and then by the time dinner rolls around, I realize that I have had one glass of water all day.  Hydration is important no matter what, but traveling really makes it a priority.  Get a reusable water bottle before you leave home and make sure that you are always refilling it.  You can set reminders on your phone or download an app to let you know that it’s time to have some more water.

Also, remember that things like fruit, vegetables, and hot tea all count towards your water intake.  Just don’t let them totally replace glasses of water throughout the day.

Keep Moving

Yes, the place you’re traveling to this Christmas might not have a gym or your favorite Crossfit class, but that doesn’t mean you should totally give up on exercise.  I’m not saying that you have to run a marathon every day of your break, but putting some activity in your day will keep your body, and you, at your best.

Take a walk with a family member.  Go sledding with the kids in your family.  Cross country ski with friends who are also home on break.  Heck, go build a snowman or have a snowball fight.  All of these will keep your body in motion and help you feel your best

Be Ready For An Emergency

Of course, you don’t want to have to worry about an emergency while you’re celebrating Christmas, but sometimes things happen.  Whether you suddenly spike a fever, have an allergic reaction, or injure yourself in that snowball fight I told you to have (you can totally blame me for that one), things happen.  If you are away from home and your doctor, it can be difficult to find the best care.

That’s where Amino comes in.  They make finding a doctor in your area super easy and convenient.  All you have to do is answer a few questions about your condition or what you are looking for, enter your insurance information and they will match you with the right doctors for your needs.  This can be really helpful if you don’t know the area and need medical attention.  It’s also good for when you get back home and want to find the perfect doctor in your area.  Even better?  It’s totally free.

Enjoy It All

Above everything else, enjoy your Christmas.  It only comes once a year and most of us are so stressed about getting everything done that we don’t even take the time to slow down and enjoy the holiday.  The best thing for your health this time of year is to really enjoy this time of year.  Laugh with your family and friends, spend time with your loved ones, celebrate the love that was sent down to us this season, and don’t worry about the last present that needs to be wrapped or the batch of cookies you accidently burned.  If you follow just one tip on this list, let it be this one!  It will do you the most good.

I hope this helps you out as you get ready for your holiday traveling and make sure to check back here on Wednesday because I’m going to have a few last minute recipes for you to whip up!

Happy Monday before Christmas friends!