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4 holiday health myths© Getty Images

Holiday health!

4 health myths about the holiday season

The holiday season can be stressful and caloric-dense, but there are things you can do to feel better and healthier


Maria Loreto
Senior Writer
DECEMBER 24, 2024 5:24 PM EST

The Holiday season is joyful and represents an opportunity to bond with the people you love the most. They can also be stressful disruptors of your daily routine, affecting some people more than others, and creating some difficulty when it comes to the start of the new year. Social gatherings, parties, celebrations, and gift-giving, can result in various stressful situations for people, resulting in feeling unhealthy and at your worst.

Still, there are plenty of situations that can be avoided with the right mindset and correct foresight. Here are four-holiday myths and how they can be debunked and avoided: 

Holiday stress is a must

Social gatherings lend themselves for stress© fcafotodigital
Social gatherings lend themselves for stress

The holidays are fast-paced and filled with activities and emotional reunions. It makes sense that people feel more stressed than usual. Still, some things that can help you avoid stress include prioritizing sleep and ensuring you get between 7 to 9 hours a night, and making the space for things that you enjoy, like watching TV shows, films, reading, working out, etc. 

It's okay to avoid working out over the holidays

Exercise during the holidays can be challenge© dpa/picture alliance via Getty I
Exercise during the holidays can be challenge

While it is okay to prioritize spending time with your loved ones, it's still important to stick to your normal routines, including your workouts. A steady exercise routine will help you feel stronger, and more in tune with yourself, and will also help you balance out those extra calories that are so delicious to ingest. 

Extra alcohol is unavoidable

Drinking alcohol on the holidays is difficult to avoid© NurPhoto via Getty Images
Drinking alcohol on the holidays is difficult to avoid

Alcohol consumption is incredibly high over the holidays, with people drinking at parties, gatherings, outings, and even all day long at times. It's difficult to consume alcohol in moderation over the holidays, but you can try to mitigate risks by keeping yourself active and restricting your calories when expecting a night of heavy drinking. You can also opt for a low-calorie drink, adding a drink of water in between each alcoholic drink, and for knowing when to start drinking and when to stop.