Health Tips for the Winter Break

Turkey, and stuffing, and gravy! Oh, my!

Winter break is just around the corner, signaling time for some well-deserved rest and some much anticipated home cooked food. And while it may be time to put textbooks aside, winter break doesn’t signal time to put healthy habits aside.

Try these tips to enjoying your winter break and holidays while staying healthy.

Indulge on the holiday(s), not everyday. If indulging in the high-fat foods that often goes along with the holiday(s) becomes a daily habit during the winter break, you’re looking at a good five weeks of sugar overload. Match that with lounging around the house and you’re looking at some unavoidable weight gain. Have fun during the holidays but try to eat sensibly during the remainder of the winter break.

Appetite vs. Hunger. Appetite is that feeling that arises when glancing over the dessert menu after already eating a satisfying meal. It is the psychological desire for food. The stomach pains, often accompanied by loud growling noises, signals the physiological need for food. Learning to differentiate between the feelings of appetite and the signs of hunger can help avoid needless calories and keep your body fueled with the right food.

Outsmarting the buffet. Portion control is crucial. Don’t view mom’s kitchen as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Be choosy and pile your plate with healthy eats and limit yourself on the decadent treats.

Snack time. Snacks are great if they’re healthy items such as fruit or granola; but with the holiday(s) it’s important to be leery of not so health friendly “snacks” that will surely be lying around. Just remember that a piece of fudge here and a glass of eggnog there can really add up.

Work it out outside. Take advantage of your hometown’s terrain and take exercising out of the gym. Live near the slopes? Go snowboarding. Meeting up with friends? Organize a game of flag football or volleyball at a nearby park. Want to spend some quality time with the family? Go for after-dinner walks a couple of times a week.

Enjoying the endorphin experience. After about 10 minutes of exercise, endorphins are released and the feel-good experience of a “runner’s high” should kick in. Exercise is a mood-booster and a great energy reviver. It’s also a great stress reliever.

Have a consistent schedule. Try to keep a consistent eating, sleeping and exercise schedule. At college you can easily rack up a mile just by walking (running, if you’re late) to and from classes. By staying active and waking up around the same time each day, your transition back to campus will be all the more easier once classes resume.

Drink responsibly. With holiday toasts and winter break weekend plans in the making, remember to select a designated driver before going out. Always have an independent back-up plan (i.e. phone number of a taxi company programmed in your cell phone) for getting home safely.

@State would like to thank Valerie Winstrom, Health Educator in Student Health Services, who contributed to this article.