25 Ways to Keep the Holidays Happy—and Healthy

With the holiday season upon us, Jack Frost is nipping at more than our noses. He's targeted our nerves, wallets and willpower.

The holiday season provides dozens of opportunities to practice less-than-healthy behaviors. But these tips from our LifeSteps partners can keep you from derailing your goals - and staying in healthy physical, mental and financial shape.

1. Avoid Over-Spending -- CIGNA Behavioral Health recommends that you plan all your holiday buying in advance. Create a list for each person and specify a spending limit, along with one or two gift ideas. Then stick to those limits even if you're tempted to exceed them!



2. Get Plenty of Rest -- Balance the hustle-bustle of the season with plenty of rest. Get a good night's sleep, eat a nutritious meal, take a short nap, meditate -- and don't forget to laugh. After all, the holidays are supposed to be fun!



3. Stay Hydrated -- Weight Watchers® warns that thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Drink plenty of water with meals as it slows eating and contributes to a feeling of fullness.



4. Avoid Last-Minute Shopping Crowds -- Is your shopping done yet? If not, CIGNA Behavioral Health recommends that you start now to avoid the last-minute rush while benefiting from larger selection. Starting early will also pay off because retailers tend to offer incentives on big-ticket items. (Also, consider shopping online through our E-Mall Holiday Headquarters.)



5. Add Some Spice (Instead of Fat) -- With access to so many high-fat dishes this season, GlobalFit, our fitness vendor, recommends using herbs, garlic or citrus instead of butter or cream. Your dishes will have a new zest to them - and you'll pack far fewer calories.



6. Watch Portion Sizes When You Eat -- Size really does matter, especially when it comes to holiday portions. Less is usually more, so try to consume half the amount of food and drink that you might normally want. Stick to one helping rather than engage in repeated trips to the holiday table.



7. Donate Your Holiday Spread to Avoid Holiday Waist -- To avoid nibbling on holiday leftovers, Jenny Craig® encourages you to donate extra food to a worthy cause. While you're at it, rather than spend leisure time at home with the holiday goodies, why not volunteer at a homeless shelter? The personal rewards will be far more gratifying than the excess calories - which could mean a hearty meal for someone else.



8. Know Your Priorities -- Make your list - and check it more than twice. With the year-end approaching here at work, you need to set priorities. Create a list of daily goals, like work projects, shopping, decorating or gift wrapping. Check off items as you make progress. Ask your partner to handle some of the household chores so you'll have time for exercise and other "stress-busting" activities.



9. Use Low-Fat Alternatives -- Jenny Craig® recommends these low-fat alternatives when baking your holiday treats: Substitute two egg whites for every whole egg; use applesauce to replace half of the shortening, butter or margarine indicated in the recipe.



10. Pay in Cash -- To avoid excess debt, pay cash for holiday gifts. According to CIGNA Behavioral Health, if you must use a charge card, limit purchases to an amount you can pay the following month to avoid high interest charges.



11. Take Time to Just "Chill" -- Jenny Craig® recommends that you maximize your holiday time off by scheduling a family trip to the park to ride bikes, ski or hike.



12. Make Time for Exercise -- Make an extra effort to exercise during and after the holidays to burn off the extra calories - and maintain your routine, advises GlobalFit, our fitness vendor.



13. Don't Skip Meals – Just Eat Smart -- Don't try to conserve calories by skipping meals. Jenny Craig® states that eating a whole-grain breakfast, especially on the day of a big holiday dinner, can actually help you avoid over-indulging later on.



14. Enjoy a Drink (But Not Necessarily Alcohol) -- Alternate one glass of sparkling water between alcoholic beverages, a frequent source of empty holiday calories. A glass of wine or beer contains 100 calories or more per serving. Eggnog packs a whopping 300 calories. In addition, excessive drinking weakens your willpower and leaves you feeling hungry.



15. Kick Back at a Cool Flick -- After a long day of shopping, CIGNA Behavioral Health suggests treating yourself to a movie with your partner or friend to mentally unwind.



16. Help Your Host -- When attending a friend's party, Jenny Craig® suggests that you help the host with non-food-related tasks, such as greeting guests, taking pictures or setting the table.



17. Crafty Gift-Giving -- According to CIGNA Behavioral Health, the most appreciated gifts often cost no money. Handmade items or the gift of your time can be the most cherished present you can give.



18. Keep a Meal Diary -- Know what you are eating. Weight Watchers® recommends writing down everything you consume. With close monitoring, you're more likely to stick with healthy food items while thinking twice about the less healthy ones.



19. Take a After Dinner Walk -- Instead of settling down on the couch, Jenny Craig® suggests inviting family and friends to a stroll around the neighborhood after consuming a big holiday meal. This is a great way to burn some calories while you admire holiday decorations.



20. Fight Temptation with Healthy Treats -- Attending a party? Bring one or two low-calorie favorites to ensure you'll have something healthy to eat - which will help you cut back on the less-healthy options.



21. Save Calories with Low Fat Gravy -- When making gravy, use fat-free broth, skim milk and mushrooms to cut back on the fat, says Jenny Craig®.



22. Find for Hidden Treasures -- Looking to curtail debt from holiday spending? CIGNA Behavioral Health advises you to shop for recycled goods at yard sales and consignment shops. Kids don't mind cleaned-up toys, and most adults love antiques.



23. Fight Temptation with Moderation -- Enjoy your favorite holiday foods in moderation. The holidays come once a year, so don't eliminate a traditional treat that you are likely to crave later on. Instead, plan for your favorites by committing to eat a smaller portion than usual and avoiding less tempting and satisfying items that won't provide as much enjoyment.



24. Share Your Dessert -- GlobalFit, our fitness vendor, reminds us to sample or share desserts instead of having whole servings.



25. Be Realistic About Holiday Weight Control -- Weight Watchers® reminds you to be realistic. Your goal during the holiday should be to maintain your current weight, not strive for additional weight loss.