Thanksgiving break is a time to go home and relax right before the end of fall semester. It is also a time to eat lots and lots of really fattening foods! However, this Thanksgiving we have a few tips to keep you healthy and happy over the holiday.
1. Get some sleep– It’s really important to get a full night’s sleep, idealistically 8 hours a night, to stay healthy. You’ll be much happier if you are well-rested when you see your friends and family so you can enjoy their company.
2. Ration what you eat and eat healthily– I know there is a ton of delicious food during the time surrounding Thanksgiving but it’s important not to overeat. If there is a wide range of food that is available and all of it appeals to you, take small portions of all of them. Don’t deprive yourself, though. It is a holiday, but that doesn’t mean it is a reason to gorge. If you are willing to not or have no interest in trying everything, fill up on turkey, vegetables and whole grains. Then when it comes time for dessert, you will only have enough room for a small sample.
3. Plan some workouts– Although it is exciting to be able to hang out with your friends from home and see your family, it is important to still stay active. Set time aside each day, idealistically 30 minutes, for some cardio. If you aren’t into cardio, just throw a football with your family outside. Any physical activity will help. This will relieve any stress and be helpful preventing any weight gain from all of the Thanksgiving food!
4. Stay on top of work– As I said, I know it is an exciting and fun time, but you don’t want to get behind on work. It sucks, but finals are coming up soon. If you put your work off the whole break, it will only keep adding up and cause a lot of stress when it comes time for when things are due.
5. Be Happy– It’s a special time that only comes once a year. There is delicious food and it is an opportunity to see family that you may not have seen for a long time! Enjoy it and remember to be thankful for what you have.