How to have fun this festive season by staying healthy

The festive season is finally upon us, bringing with it Christmas decorations and typical festive overindulgence.

While this is a time for people to unwind from their usual routines and have fun, it important to maintain a balanced eating and exercise plane.

With many Newcastillians having the opportunity to take time off, it is the perfect opportunity to start embracing a healthier lifestyle before tackling New Year’s resolutions for 2016.

Bryan McLachlan, CEO at direct life insurer Instant Life, has supplied tips for a fitter you over the December holidays.

1. Get your body moving:

Take advantage of time off work and get in a couple of hours of exercise each day.

If you’re going away and don’t have access to your usual gym or golf course, make a point of going for a walk or jog, whether it be on the beach or in the nearest park. Also take full advantage of the hot summer days and rather take a stroll to the shops.

For parents, try to keep up with your children for a real fitness challenge. You’ll be amazed at their energy levels and how much fun they have.

2. Depressurise:

If you don’t need to commute each day, you’ll be able to sleep in a bit and ensure that you get a good seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Take in some fresh air, relax with a book, spend quality time with your children, and go for long some relaxing walks.

3. Eat healthy food:

While the festive season allows people the ideal opportunity to indulge in feasts with big family meals, it is actually the perfect time to embrace better eating habits.

With the time off from work, you’re not constantly on the rush and on-the-go, and therefore have time for wholesome home cooking rather than relying on the work canteen or takeaways.

Cooking at home can be fun when you’re researching new recipes, shopping for fresh ingredients, and preparing delicious meals with your family.

4. Drink in moderation:

Alcohol is one of the biggest health and safety risk factors over the Christmas season, as it is a major contributor in road accidents, so don’t chance drinking and driving, even if you’ve only had a drink or two.

5. Ask Santa for a fitness tracker:

If you want to set fitness goals and stay motivated, why not invest in a fitness tracker such as a FitBit, Jawbone, or Apple Watch?

The great thing about these devices is that they can add some fun into your fitness routine by letting you gamify your progress and share your stats with your friends.

You can make take it a step further by getting your spouse or a fitness tracker too, to ensure you have some compnay.

There are other benefits to having a fitness tracker. Certain life insurers give you a better premium if you share your fitness tracker data with it.

With these five simple tips, you will be able to enjoy your holidays without worrying about battling the festive season bulge when you return to work.