Holidays can be stressful when they revolve around food, and Halloween is certainly no exception. With candy everywhere, not to mention the alcohol that often comes with a college student’s Halloween weekend, it’s easy to fall into the trap of calorie counting and food guilt. It can be hard to manage a holiday like Halloween if food is a stress-inducer. However, treating yourself is never something to be ashamed of. Our bodies and minds deserve a break, and if that means eating a few too many candy bars, then so be it.
Calories don’t have to be “earned.” It’s easy to justify splurging on Halloween by planning a workout and a juice cleanse the day after. By creating this mindset, the “evils” of candy are only multiplied. If the only reason to eat candy on Halloween is to burn off the calories later, then the treats become a weapon against our satisfaction. Chocolate and gummy worms aren’t a trophy for hard work- they’re a simple pleasure that everyone deserves to enjoy. You don’t need to adjust your whole life for a weekend of Halloween cravings. Instead, be thankful for a fun night out and move on the next day.
Halloween is only once a year. Feeling guilty over a single day is so easy, but one holiday isn’t going to ruin any health or fitness goals you may have. Gen-Z has grown up surrounded by fitness influencers, bikini posts from LA models, and the myths of clean eating. Even women like our queen Emily Mariko make a subconscious impact on the way our generation views food and indulgence. This is a mindset that so many of us have to unlearn. Our health is not dependent on the holiday season. Halloween isn’t going to magically change your appearance and wellbeing overnight. One of my favorite mantras is “it’s never that serious,” and I think it applies well to the concern over Halloween calories.
I know it’s all easier said than done, but it’s okay to treat yourself this Halloween. Overindulging does not make you any less of the person you were before the holiday. Our generation has a lot of work to do when it comes to reclaiming our health and diets, and part of it relies on the ability to enjoy some candy without feeling guilty. It’s okay to have a sweet tooth, and it’s okay to celebrate Halloween to its fullest potential. Get dressed up, have fun, and remember that Halloween doesn’t determine your worth.