When discussing health, mental heath matters too! With all the good that comes with Christmas, Sadly, it’s also a time of loneliness for many, a time of emptiness due to lack, loss of loved ones 

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No 1 healthy tip for Christmas is reaching out to as many people as possible needing love and care out there.  You can help some elderly around you with their shopping.

Look around you, extend a loving hand. This brings more joy to you than it would to any other. 

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“ US researchers say. In studies they found that the old adage "it's better to give than to receive" is correct: spending money on others or giving to charity puts a bigger smile on your face than buying things for yourself.20 Mar 2008.”

Set simply , practical, achievable goals/ targets, write them out boldly and attractively. Leave or post them at various places at home, office, in your car.

This way you are subtlety and constantly reminded of your health focus.

What about counting your steps as you get your Christmas shopping done. You can do this without spending much by using your phone or get some budget steps tracker.

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It is motivating to know how many steps you cover in a day, for me it creates the determination to make more steps  the next  day and on.

It is even more beneficial if you can start weekly step challenge with your friends, family or colleagues. You will be amazed to know what your cumulative weekly/ monthly, are the amount of calories burnt over that period.

The key to reduced portion size is your plate size. For me I have my eat well plate which divides the plate into reasonable portions . Half the plate should be full of vegetables, while the other half is divided into two for your Carbohydrate and your protein.

In the absence of Eat well plate then use a small plate for your meals.

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Plan your meals well ahead and inculcate as much vegetables and fruits as possible into your meal preparation.

- go for healthier recipes.

We always talk about sensible drinking especially at festive period.

I think the best drink for us  this Christmas and always is WATER .

You can’t go wrong with water.

Sparkling or still water- gray juice.

- always have a second thought on how much you’ve had before taking in more.

- home made fruit juices gives you a rich , healthier, colorful variety of safe drink available for your festive period.

- vegetables juices are great 

- make wiser choices with your alcohol intake: limited alcohol or better still zero alcohol .

- go low on fizzy drinks they are high in sugar content and calories 

It is always beneficial to have a friend or friends with similar interest in maintaining healthy living. This is a useful for checking on each other, prompting, encouraging on one another, setting goals together and running healthy lifestyle challenges.

Exchanging gifts is a major part of the Christmas celebration for most people.  Healthy, comfortable budgeting is a key step to reducing stress and keeping your mind rested and in a state of wellbeing. 

Whether or not your are living with diabetes, a determination to eating well at all times is crucial to maintaining your health. The choice of what goes on your table is related  to the choices you make during your food shopping. 

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- be guided by a low sugar, low salt, reduced fat, minimally processed, high fiber food choices.

- increase vegetables, fruits and generally plant based food choices .

- Pay attention to Food Labels as you shop. Food labels exist to help you make informed choices of what for you buy.

- always have a RETHINK of what goes into your grocery shopping trolley. Let your trolley speak health.

Make the right and heathy food choices.

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Plan your games and activities for your family as you get together on Christmas Day and throughout the season.

Include more movements and less of sitting down for example dancing, hide and seek, short walk around the house, visiting christmas market etc

- create time to wind down, go out for coffee/tea, go for a short walk.

- do some reading.

- take deep breaths often times through the day. You take in more oxygen as you do this and it can be quite relaxing.

- hydrate yourself and keep your cells / vital organs happy and functional (increase your water intake)