How I Stay Healthy And Well During The Holidays

I cannot believe it is already another year around the sun. When I was younger, New Year’s felt dramatic and exciting. Now the holidays feel more like a time to reflect, enjoy, recharge a bit, and stay steady.

For years I thought “recharging” meant sleeping in late, drinking more than usual, eating everything in sight, and then punishing myself with a harsh New Year’s resolution. That never worked, and it never felt good.

Something I love about getting older is noticing how I’ve evolved. I like feeling good. I like being present. I like knowing I’m taking care of my body instead of constantly recovering from my choices.

Here’s what helps me stay healthy, grounded, and well during the holidays and “sick season.”

I eat real food and I don’t restrict just to overeat later. I’ll enjoy dessert, but I don’t need to try everything on the table.

I drink with intention. I love water and tea and I’ll absolutely enjoy a glass of wine or tequila at dinner, but I’m not spending the week chasing a buzz.

I support digestion because it changes everything. I focus on not getting constipated, I take my probiotics and prebiotics, magnesium citrate, and my fiber mix of ground chia seeds, ground flax, and psyllium husk. I mix it into yogurt or into the nut oatmeal from Kroma with blueberries and cinnamon, and my body thanks me.

I front-load hydration in the morning. I start the day with three glasses of water on an empty stomach because it supports bowel health, tissue health, and energy. Sometimes I add a little salt for absorption. I also drink electrolytes — I love Ultima Replenisher (I love the lemonade flavor with a squeeze of lime) and the unflavored Buoy option — and eating at least one baby cucumber a day has basically become routine.

I breathe. When I feel stressed, tense, overwhelmed, or overstimulated, I take 6–10 slow breaths. Sometimes in bed. Sometimes in child’s pose. I send my inhale low into my pelvis, then let it travel up the cylinder of my torso to the roof of my mouth, and then I let the exhale seep out as slowly as possible. I feel the pressure move up and out, my tissue softens, and my whole system resets. It works every time.

I actually enjoy the holidays instead of overanalyzing everything.

For the past few years, my New Year’s resolution has been to be kinder to myself. This year I want to continue giving myself more grace as a mother. Present instead of perfect.

I support my immune system. I take colostrum daily because it has been incredible for my immune health. I have bone broth most days — and I always travel with the Kroma beef bone broth, so I always have a nourishing option with me. And I take an immune support supplement with vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, quercetin, and NAC.

I move every day. A walk, a class, squats after meals, something. Movement never fails me.

I journal about what I would like the following year to look like. Sometimes I write as if it is already happening, and this year I’m actually considering making a vision board too. I like getting intentional about what I’m creating instead of just reacting to life.

And finally, I honor “enough.” I will work over vacation, but I will also rest. I’ll be with my family, move my body, read, write, and make time for myself. I’ve really learned that when it comes to spending time with anyone — even family — it’s quality over quantity. Even in the limited time we get with people we love, taking care of myself makes me the best version of me, and honestly more enjoyable to be around. And this part is still really hard for me.

The most important thing I’ve learned over the years is this: your time and your body are precious. The greatest gift you can receive is your health, feeling your best in your mind and body, and surrounding yourself with good energy.

Happy holidays.

With love,

Regan