CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 11/17/17

Holiday exercise can help reduce stress and boost the holiday spirit

By Sage Barnard

November and December seem to be the time of year that everyone throws their exercise routines to the wind. Putting together parties, buying presents and preparing tons of good food makes it tough for anyone to set aside time for exercise.

The catch is that exercise can make the holidays merrier by relieving some holiday stress. Here are some tips and advice from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s Walk Georgia program that will help you keep a healthy routine throughout the holidays.

Take a Break

The constant stress of getting your house ready for the arrival of friends and family can drive anyone over the edge. Take 30 minutes in between errands and take a walk in the brisk winter air or go for a short jog. Short bursts of exercise can give you energy when you’re about to crash. It also produces those much-needed endorphins that can help jump-start that Christmas spirit. A little exercise can have mood-boosting effects, lasting well past the holiday season.

Just One More Cookie

Limiting how much you eat can be tough, especially when you’re surrounded by pecan pie, sugar cookies and plenty of warm casseroles. Instead of grabbing one of those holiday cookies your neighbors made for you every time you walk into your kitchen, take them to work and share them with your co-workers. It will make you feel better about your eating habits and popular around the office.

Treat Yourself

Balance is key when it comes to the holidays. Too much of anything, whether presents or food, can become problematic. After a Thanksgiving or Christmas feast, you can burn off some those decadent treats by playing a few rounds of football with everyone or taking a long walk around the neighborhood. It is inevitable that you will accumulate some cheat days around the holidays, and that is perfectly fine. Don’t feel bad about having a few heavy and heavenly meals with your loved ones — just make sure you do a little something extra to keep that healthy balance.

Set Goals 

The holidays come and go just like that, but make sure your health doesn’t do the same. After the holidays, make a list of health and exercise goals for the next year and try to stick to it. Trying not to break New Year’s resolutions is something we all struggle with, but remind yourself daily that you will look and feel better by sticking with it.

For more advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, visit www.walkgeorgia.org/.

Sage Barnard is a student writer for the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and UGA Cooperative Extension.

Authors:
Sage Barnard
Experts/Sources:
Maria Bowie
Holidaydinner CAES News
Holiday food safety 101: Tips to avoid foodborne illness from UGA Extension experts 12/04/24 Jordan Powers
The holiday table: For many, it is the highlight of the season, packed with roast turkey, savory stuffing, homemade pies and perhaps a cold glass of eggnog. It is also a place where bacteria can linger, turning a holiday gathering into a very different type of party. As holiday menus are planned and grocery lists assembled, Carla Schwan, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension food safety specialist, urges home cooks to remember one key rule. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time to spend more of the holiday with guests, taking time ahead of the day to set expectations can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. CAES News
Need help managing stress this holiday season? Try these 3 tips from UGA Extension 11/21/24 Maria M. Lameiras
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
The caterpillar relies on its appearance to deter attackers and, when disturbed, it aggressively twists and writhes on the ground to defend itself. In its final, less terrifying form, the regal moth displays autumnal-colored wings in shades of deep orange with gray stripes and yellow spots. (Art by Jay B. Bauer) CAES News
Unveiling the fearsome hickory horned devil 10/25/23 Emily Cabrera
With a name that conjures the spookiest Halloween imagery, the hickory horned devil (Citheronia regalis) caterpillar is a marvel of nature's creativity, boasting a fearsome-looking appearance that is both off-putting and intriguing. This time of year, unsuspecting passersby may have the rare chance to spot this spectacular caterpillar as it drops from trees.
December Nights and Holiday Lights will take place at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah on select nights from Nov. 25 through Dec. 24. CAES News
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens holiday lights exhibit returns Nov. 25 11/24/22 Amanda Budd
The Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm, operated by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, will soon be spreading holiday cheer with their December Nights and Holiday Lights event in Savannah. On select days from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, visitors can view nearly 5 acres of the gardens lit up for the holidays.
To help create a less stressful holiday meal, University of Georgia Extension specialists offer these tips. Plan ahead. Don't go it alone. Resist the urge to buy new things or try new recipes. Set realistic expectations for family affairs. Consider a seating chart. Remember, the traditional turkey your family has always enjoyed will round out your holiday meal much better than a half-frozen, half-cooked, deep-fried turkey would. CAES News
Five tips to stress less over the holidays 11/22/22 Alexis Roberts, MaryBeth Hornbeck
Does the stress of preparing for the holidays hit you like a sledgehammer? Are you Googling new recipes the night before the feast to find the perfect sides? Does a relative want Grandma’s cornbread stuffing instead of the Stouffer’s you had planned to prepare? Let’s face it: The holidays may look picture-perfect on social media, but in reality, they may not be so full of harmony and smiles.
Popular around Halloween, candy corn was initially marketed as "Chicken Feed" by its original producer. Now the sweet is likely to spark an annual love-it-or-hate-it confectionary controversy among candy consumers. CAES News
It's corn! The history of an adored (and reviled) Halloween candy 10/26/22 Lillian Sosbee
Candy corn is either the first or the last piece of candy you reach for around the Halloween season. Regardless of your opinion, candy corn is a mysterious confection. Its flavor, texture and history are unique, making this variegated sweet more than meets the eye.