When people think of the holidays, they often picture sitting by the fireplace, surrounded by loved ones, as snow gently falls outside.  And unlike holidays of the past, this holiday season brings with it a new kind of stress. Being away from family and friends during the holidays is a heavy burden, however, we must make sure that we are taking care of not only our physical health but more importantly this year, our mental health. Here are five tips to help you stay happy and healthy all throughout this year’s holiday season.

1. Think moderation

This year, opt for one glass of wine rather than five, and one slice of pie instead of the whole thing. Those already overweight tended to gain much more than the average one pound during the holidays, with a cumulative effect over the years. The bottom line? Enjoy yourself, but balance the junk with enough healthy choices.

2. Don’t stress

Holiday stresses, along with the shorter, darker daylight hours associated with seasonal effective disorder (SAD), can contribute to anxiety and depression. To help beat the winter blues, many people turn to vitamin D3 supplementation. Additionally, consider relaxation-promoting nutrients like magnesium bisglycinate, and gentle, non-sedating natural compounds like GABA and L-Theanine.

3. Work it out

Another great remedy for beating holiday stress is exercise. Hopping on the treadmill, lifting weights, or even taking a brisk walk can help you cruise through the season. 30 minutes, 5 days a week of moderate intensity exercise can improve sleep, support digestion, and help alleviate anxiety.

4. Listen to your gut

When our gut isn’t happy, we aren’t happy (literally). Digestive imbalances have been linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression, as well as a host of immune issues. Heal your gut with a healthy diet, high in fibre and probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kimchi. Probiotic supplementation may also help reduce rates of respiratory infection and flu-like symptoms.

5. “C” the difference

Nothing can stop holiday cheer in its tracks like a cold. So, this year, be sure to give your immune system a boost with vitamin C, whether from dietary sources like citrus fruit, berries, broccoli or sweet potato, or a high-quality supplement. When choosing a supplement, consider a less-acidic form that’s easy on digestion. On top of vitamin C, Vitamin D as well as Zinc have been proven to also help support a healthy and happy immune system.

The holiday season has always been a stressful time and this year, most definitely, brings its own set of challenges. Please be kind to one and other as well as to ourselves, reach out to family and friends, as this is the season of love and kindness. From our family to yours, we wish you a most happy and healthy holiday.