Generally speaking, every dad knows what to expect on Father’s Day. Socks, ties, coffee mugs, funny cards, and a homemade dinner are generally in store for dads on their special day. While gifts from the family are priceless and honor fatherhood, it’s important for fathers to take charge of their health. They play a large role in shaping their children’s future, so they should be around to see them grow up.

June is Men’s Health Month, making Father’s Day the perfect time to emphasize men’s health. Fathers devote a lot of attention to their children during their lifetime. Statistically, fathers, and men in general, tend to neglect their own health. Looking after personal health is just as important as monitoring the health of children. Several studies confirmed that fathers with poor physical and mental health have a negative impact on their children’s overall well being. 

For Father’s Day, we have five health tips for dads that will help them live happier, healthier lives. Stick around for more Father’s Days when you maintain overall health!

Schedule An Annual Physical

Statistically, men are 24% less likely than women to visit a doctor for yearly physicals. One of the best ways to stay on top of your health is by taking preventative measures. Several surveys concluded that men are 32% more likely than women to end up in a hospital for long-term diabetic complications. And men are 28% more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure. Don’t let dad put off doctor visits!

Seek Help For Depression

This tip applies to men who grapple with depression or severe anxiety. It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression in order to seek help when necessary. For both men and women, depression is one of the leading causes of disease and injury worldwide. Signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, reduced energy levels, thoughts of suicide, and persistent sadness. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek help immediately. Many hotlines, support groups, and alternative treatments can benefit mental health. 

Find Ways To Manage Stress

Many health practitioners explain that stress is one of the primary risks of developing depression, heart disease, and chronic inflammation. Excess stress hormones in the body can negatively impact overall health. Fathers and mothers can hold a lot of stress, and certain things their children do only add to it. While there are many ways to naturally reduce stress, each person will have to find their own outlet that invites zen into their life. If you need help getting rid of stress, click here to read about ways to address your stress. 

Consider A Colonoscopy

This is not a fun topic to discuss with dads, but it is a necessary one if they are nearing 50 years old. In the United States, colon cancer happens to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The Standard American Diet increases waste accumulation in the colon and digestive tract, and this can lead to numerous intestinal disorders, as well as colon cancer. A colonoscopy is an excellent way to screen for colon cancer. Men who are 50 years old or older should consider a colonoscopy, especially if there is family history of colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. 

Focus On Cardiovascular Health

If you want dad to keep up with chasing you at the park, make sure he is in great cardiovascular shape. Improving and maintaining heart health requires constant work. From eating the right foods to regularly exercising, keeping the heart healthy is a full-time job. Health experts suggest to engage in 150 minutes of moderately intense cardiovascular exercise per week. Additionally, it’s ideal to eat a healthy diet that consists of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Try to limit the consumption of alcohol, meat, processed foods, saturated fats, refined starches, and dairy products. All of those foods negatively impact heart health. 

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The unofficial start of summer is nearly here! Memorial Day is the first long weekend just before the summer solstice and people are ready to gather and celebrate. There’s no better weekend to socialize outside and make delicious food than Memorial Day Weekend. That’s why this article brings you seven amazing, healthy recipes that will surprise your taste buds with bold flavors. 

The sad reality is that most people will abandon their diets and wolf down all sorts of unhealthy foods over the weekend. According to statistics, there are roughly 800 hotdogs eaten every second on Memorial Day. That means that about 72 million hotdogs are eaten on this day alone. Perhaps this is because roughly 57% of people engage in barbecuing, but maybe it’s because Americans are inherently unhealthy. 

If you are looking to stay on track with your health goals, however, there are tasty recipes you can make that won’t cause a caloric overload. Make the following recipes this coming holiday weekend and let us know how you like them. 

Mango And Watermelon Radish Salsa

Refresh your palate and elevate your salsa game with this raw vegan dip made with mango, cucumber, watermelon radish, cilantro, and more. It is bright, zesty, and has summer vibes in every bite!

Click here to make the recipe.

Sweet Chili Jicama Sticks

New to jicama? Crisp sticks are tossed in a sweet chili sauce, making them a highly addictive and nutritious snack, which is not a common theme at Memorial Day gatherings.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Grilled Romaine Hearts With Balsamic Dressing

Elevate your grilling game this Memorial Day Weekend with this easy recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to make. Romaine hearts are great on the grill and the sweet tanginess of the balsamic goes great with those char marks.

Click here to make the recipe.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Here’s another great grilling recipe for all you grill fanatics out there. Crank up the heat with these grilled portobello mushroom caps. Marinated in a tart, herbaceous balsamic marinade, these grilled portobellos make for a light and meaty entree or perfect side dish.

Click here to make the recipe.

Oil-Free Baked Vegetable Chips

Skip the hydrogenated oils and chemicals in processed potato chips and churn out a batch of crispy, vegetable chips this holiday weekend! Although this recipe calls for carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, beet roots, and turnips, you can whichever vegetables that you enjoy.

Click here to make the recipe.

Melon Ball Salad With A Minty Lime Dressing

Refresh your palate and hydrate the body when you enjoy this Instagram-worthy melon ball salad that has a zesty, minty dressing.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Pineapple Mango Agua Fresca

Perfect for hot summer days, this refreshing, tropical pineapple mango agua fresca is naturally sweetened with a subtle hint of tartness. It’ll put you in that perfect summer state of mind!

Click here to make the recipe. 

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For a lot of people, the hype of the holidays can bring a lot of excitement, joy, and lots of nostalgia. For others, the holiday season can bring up past trauma, estranged relationships, and feelings of loneliness. Even if that isn’t the case, the holidays are like an emotional rollercoaster. You go from intense levels of holiday activities to very low energy, which can seem like peace, but the emotional result is often depression.

What Are The Post-Holiday Blues?

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the holiday blues are characterized by feelings of anxiety and stress that stem from a variety of reasons. A 2015 survey found that about 64% of people reported that they experienced the post-holiday blues. Financial stress, an inability to make it home for the holidays, and the emotional whirlwind of emotions after the holidays finish can all cause bouts of depression. Plus, seasonal depression is more common than you think, with about 14% of American adults experiencing the winter blues. 

If you are dealing with feelings of stress or depression, please understand that you are not alone. There are many ways to manage your symptoms and get the help you need. The post-holiday blues can affect people who may or may not be dealing with depression already. The following signs are common indicators of post-holiday blues:

• Activities are more difficult than normal
• Difficulty getting out of bed or struggling to make food
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Having trouble concentrating
• Losing interest in things that used to bring you joy

Don’t let the post-holiday blues control your life. Take action and manage your mental health, working through your feelings to start anew. We hope that the following tips help you beat the post-holiday blues. 

Get Out Of The House

Cut the atmosphere of being in a house that doesn’t have any holiday activities or aromas by getting out of your home. Even on a gray or snowy day, step outside to raise your energy levels. If it is really cold where you are, make sure to bundle up so as not to freeze. You can combine your outing by meeting a friend at a local coffee shop. Consider chatting with the cashier at the grocery store, the mail carrier, or even the gas station attendant. Getting out of your house is a great way to interrupt the winter blues. 

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Drinking and the holidays seem to be quite synonymous, especially during holiday celebrations. The intake of libations tends to continue long after the celebrations come to a close, though. Because alcohol is a depressant, it can only enhance feelings of sadness, especially if you are alone. Drinking to excess can affect your mood and amplify any negative feelings, even if you push them down deep. Avoid alcohol if you can and consider doing something productive, like taking down decorations, getting rid of old clothes, or volunteer at a local shelter to help out those in need.

Talk To Someone Verbally

It’s easy to send a text, direct message, or email, but it means so much more when you communicate verbally. Think about someone that you enjoy being around or care about and call that person on the phone. Rather than complaining about your mood, ask them how they are doing. What was the best part of their holiday weekend, or where did they have the most fun? If you feel that someone may not answer their phone, you can send a text saying that you want to chat for a few minutes. 

Reread Greeting Cards

Greeting cards, or holiday cards, are not as common as they used to be, but people still send them and they can bring a smile to your face. We aren’t going to lie: some greeting cards are bland and boring. For every few bad greeting cards, you get a great one that you hopefully save. When the holidays are over, bust out the greeting cards to reread them and figure out which ones are your favorites. Don’t ruminate in your depression when you can easily brighten your spirits by reading words from a friend, family member, or loved one. 

Slide Out Of The Holidays

If you are going to sit on the couch and watch TV or do another activity, make sure that it is not holiday-related. It may not seem likely, but you can easily go down the rabbit hole of what you just lost. Take care of your mental health by taking your mind off the holidays and directing your gaze toward the new year. There are many things to do to wrap up the year! Consider getting a head start on your health goals, or start cleaning to have a neat and tidy home for New Year’s Day.

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If you are familiar with the content we post, then you know we laugh at the idea of a salad being a simple side dish. We direct the spotlight on the salad, allowing it to take center stage as the main course. You just need to pack it with plenty of cruciferous and colorful vegetables, heart-healthy nuts, savory beans, avocados, berries, and, most importantly, an incredible dressing. 

Make It Colorful

In order to make the perfect salad, you want to include as many nutrient-dense, filling ingredients as possible. If you can make it as colorful as possible, that is a bonus. The reason you want to include colorful foods, such as blueberries, purple cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, or bell peppers, is to diversify your antioxidant intake. This relates back to the concept of “eating the rainbow.” Eating this way not only ensures that you eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables, but also that you eat as many vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients as possible. Continue reading to learn about other tips to make a great post-holiday detox salad. 

Start With The Greens

Greens will form the base of your salad, but you don’t have to be traditional with your choice of leaves. Some people enjoy crispy romaine, while others prefer the diversity of spring mixed greens. Kale makes for an excellent salad base, so long as you remove the thick stems and chop it finely. Arugula is a great choice if you water a peppery base, and shredded Brussels sprouts or cabbage work well as bases for slaws. The point is that green vegetables are some of the healthiest foods on the planet! Some people abide by the phrase, “The more you eat green, the more you get lean.”

Don’t Be Afraid Of Onions

Onions, garlic, and other members of the allium family, exhibit unique flavor profiles. They have a strong bite, but a lot of health benefits come with that intensity. For example, onions exhibit impressive anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties because of their sulfide compounds. The same compounds that make your eyes tear up benefit your health! If you need to tame the intensity of onions, soak them in a little sea salt and lemon/lime juice. You can also crush up fresh garlic to incorporate into your salad dressing. Fun fact: crushing the garlic actually releases the health properties!

Bring Legumes To The Party

Legumes are naturally rich in fiber and protein, two things that help fill you up. When you add them to salads, they add a starchy creaminess that is very hard to replicate. In fact, you keep aiming for black beans, kidney beans, or garbanzo beans bite after bite! Most beans are naturally rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, in addition to resistant starch. Plus, several studies found that they exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Dress For Success

Before you dig into your big bowl of greens, colorful vegetables and fruits, onions, and legumes, you need a proper dressing. You can go with a simple vinaigrette using olive oil, your favorite vinegar, and sea salt and pepper, or you can blend several ingredients into a dressing. If you prefer creamy dressings, consider blending avocado, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and salt and pepper. Once your dressing is ready to go, drizzle it over your salad, toss to coat all the ingredients, and serve. When ready to eat, you can top with some almonds, walnuts, cashews, or other nuts and seeds of your choice. 

We regularly publish salad recipes on our website. If you need inspiration, you can click here to view all of our salad recipes. It’s a useful resource that can help you if you’re ever in a pinch.

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The holidays are filled with love, joy, merriment, family, and lots and lots of food. Too often are holiday dishes rich, heavy, and filled with unhealthy fats and excess salt. The worst part is that these unhealthy dishes are not just at the big holiday gathering. Coffee shops, work parties, gatherings with friends, and other events during this time of year feature an assortment of fattening foods. They are incredibly delicious, which is why they are so hard to resist. 

At a certain point, though, your body lets you know that it’s time to lighten the load. After all, the body can only take so much! The feelings of fullness last beyond the big meal because people continue eating leftovers for days. This is perfectly common, and most people call the remaining days of the year a wash because their fitness or health goals start on January 1st. Don’t be that person because that attitude can propel poor eating habits into the New Year. You want to get a head start on your healthy eating!

It’s perfectly acceptable to abandon ship, veer from the norm, and start making recipes that are much easier on the body after the holidays. Learn the leftover lesson from previous years and get back on the path to better health before the New Year. To help encourage detoxification, though, you need to eat the right foods. The following recipes should aid your detox efforts after some serious holiday eating. Let us know which recipe is your favorite in the comments below.

Fat Flush Detox Green Smoothie

Promote healthy digestion and detoxification after any big meal when you drink this detox green smoothie. It’ll help flush away the toxins that you accumulated during the holidays. 

Click here to make the recipe. 

Homemade Lemon Ginger Turmeric Detox Tea

Skip the apple cider vinegar fire cider and start your day with this lemon ginger turmeric detox tea to activate the detox process and kickstart your immune system.

Click here to make the recipe.

Post-Holiday Detox Green Smoothie

Did you barely survive a long weekend of holiday eating? Jumpstart your health with this post-holiday detox green smoothie.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Alkalizing Green Detox Soup

If you had a long weekend or season of heavy eating, help detox the body with this alkalizing green soup with essential nutrients.

Click here to make the recipe.

Fat Flush Soup

Need a meal to help you get rid of those excess pounds from an indulgent weekend? What a coincidence, because this recipe does exactly that!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Kale Apple Carrot Salad

A super simple kale salad that is filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a tasty way to help your family enjoy raw veggies!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Nori Wraps With Turmeric Cashew Cream

These vegetable nori wraps with a turmeric cashew cream are irresistibly delicious and boast tons of health benefits, too.

Click here to make the recipe.

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Oh my goodness! Is this about to be the best vegan treat of the holidays? Good tidings and even better flavors we bring to you and your kin. We wish you a happy holidays and an even happier eating experience. This vegan eggnog chia pudding recipe is not only delectable, but also creamy and filled with holiday spices. Unlike traditional eggnog recipes, this one is free of added sugars, preservatives, dairy, and unhealthy fats. It is also alcohol-free!

Sweets are all the rage during the holiday season. Would Christmas be what it is without a cup of hot cocoa and some cookies, or a glass of eggnog? Yes, of course it would! Don’t fall into that classic holiday mentality of “well, I only eat this during this time of year, so it is perfectly acceptable to have it whenever I want it.” Because people love their holiday treats, though, we decided to create one of our own. You can enjoy it for breakfast or eat it as a dessert. There is no wrong way to eat this eggnog chia pudding.

Because eggnog is very creamy and beautifully spiced, it lends itself to chia pudding. The hints of nutmeg and cinnamon almost give this chia pudding a flavor that is reminiscent to a classic rice pudding. Once the chia pudding sets, feel free to top it with your desired toppings. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top, add some diced apples or sliced bananas, or drizzle some nut butter on top. Need a little crunch to this recipe? Add some slivered almonds or pumpkin seeds! Lastly, this recipe will keep fresh in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to five days, so you don’t have to enjoy it immediately when it is ready.

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There is something magical about seeing a stuffed stocking on Christmas morning. No matter if you are young or old, waking up to a lumpy stocking full of surprises offers a special joy. Once you start taking gifts out of the stocking, though, your excitement may start to fade. That’s where we come in! We’ve put together a solid list of healthy and useful stocking stuffers that everyone will love. 

Nobody needs more socks, underwear, tissues, or lip balm in their stocking. Be creative and nab some fun things that your friends or family will actually use. You don’t have to put a brand new iPhone in the stocking; rather, keep it low-maintenance, low-cost, and incredibly unique. The stuffers don’t have to be boring, either. You don’t have to choose between candy bars and carrot sticks! 

Which stocking stuffers do you usually gravitate towards? Are you some who enjoys gifting classic holiday indulgences? Do you like finding unique toys or fun miscellaneous items? Leave your old habits behind this year and consider some of the following healthy and useful stocking stuffers. 

Bath Bombs

Taking a relaxing bath is a great form of self-care. Bath bombs only enhance the experience, and often contain ingredients that help encourage healthier skin. It’s up to you if you want to avoid intense colors because those colors can stain tubs. Don’t make more work for your friend or family member! Consider making a quality homemade bath bomb by clicking here. 

Hand Creams

Consider one excellent hand cream, or a variety of hand creams, because everyone could use a little extra moisture during the winter months. Hands tend to dry out and crack this time of year, especially if you are regularly washing them to help keep germs at bay. Both the cold weather and hot water, which your cold hands desperately crave when you want to wash them, will cause dryness, so help your friends or family members replenish moisture with hand cream in their stockings.

Essential Oils

You probably cannot fit an entire diffuser in a stocking, but you can definitely fit some essential oils in there. Distilled from plants, flowers, and seeds, essential oils offer myriad health properties. Typically used for aromatherapy purposes, essential oils can promote a sense of calm, which is a very useful thing during the holiday season and New Year. Peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon essential oils are great starter oils! Just make sure to get pure essential oils, being careful to examine ingredient lists for potential preservatives.

Herbal Teas

Everyone has someone in their life who loves to drink tea. Maybe they have become a master of matcha or a person who loves herbal varieties. Consider gifting them a unique tea set with various flavors. Typically, there are numerous tea sets available during the holiday season. Maybe you can accompany the different herbal teas with a nice mug, or better yet, an insulated mug that will keep hot beverages warm for hours during the winter. 

Squeezable Nut Butter Packs

Before you go out and purchase nut butter packs, make sure that the person you are buying them for does not have a nut allergy. After you cross that off the list, make sure you purchase high-quality nut butter packs. They can provide necessary protein, healthy fats, and fiber, all of which are great for keeping you full and energized between meals. Plus, they make traveling so much better! They take up very little space and are much healthier options than chips, sugary trail mixes, or salty nut mixes. 

Magnesium Lotion

Are you wondering what magnesium lotion is? First off, magnesium is a vital mineral that is linked to many health benefits, including better sleep, healthy heart, and relaxed muscles. Magnesium lotion can help calm discomfort by soothing the skin and reduce irritation and itchiness. It may also improve skin barrier function and support collagen regeneration. You may have even seen ads for magnesium lotion for babies because it helps them sleep more soundly.

Propolis Throat Spray

Show the immune system a little love with some propolis throat spray. Bees create propolis by combining various plant and tree resins with their own enzymes. It exhibits powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immune-supporting compounds. Should the person you’re gifting this to be prone to sore throats or common colds, it will be of great benefit to them. The flavonoids help to protect and soothe the throat, especially when it is feeling scratchy.

Movie Tickets

This doesn’t necessarily count as a healthy gift, but it is useful to many people. Movie tickets are very expensive these days, so treat someone to a night out at the movies! It’s a great stocking stuffer idea that takes up little to no room. Feel free to include some healthy snacks along with the tickets so that the person can sneak them in the theater! Just don’t tell anyone we told you to do that last part.

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People love the holidays, but they can cause a lot of stress. From event planning to coordinating with family arrivals, the holidays demand emotional and mental energy, which can easily deplete. Not to mention, the energy one must exert to entertain can physically drain the body. What does that mean for a relationship at the end of the day?

It’s very common to have a relationship take a backseat to the rest of the goings-on during the holidays. One or both partners may not even classify the relationship as a priority. Additionally, one person in the relationship may gain more joy out of the holiday festivities, while the other person just grinds through them. It’s fine to avoid Christmas music in the car or conversing with specific family members, for example, but it’s not acceptable to neglect the relationship. It’s important to carve out time to nurture the relationship, focusing intently on each party. Learn how to do that during the holiday hustle and bustle with the following tips. 

Be Curious

When you’re busy, it’s quite common to be swept up by your own schedule. A busy schedule isn’t an excuse to avoid inquiring about your partner’s day or feelings, though. There isn’t a requirement to ask your partner about every single aspect of their day, but maintaining curiosity can help care for the flame in a relationship. You can always learn something new about your partner, especially if their environment or personality changes. A simple, “Tell me about the best and worst parts of your day,” can go a long way. Not only will you start up a conversation and learn more, but you’ll also maintain an intimate connection.

Skip Some Of The Parties

Some people live for holiday parties. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the invitations roll in and it can be overwhelming if you try to attend all of them. It’s quite common that one person in the relationship will get annoyed by all the socializing, so don’t overcommit and attend all of the parties. Talk to one another about the parties you really want to attend and the ones that you’d be happy to miss. Sometimes, avoiding the party and taking time for just the two of you is more beneficial. Consider dinner and a movie or simply spend the night at home and relax. 

Listening Dates

Speaking of spending the night at home, why not turn it into a listening date? Similar to being curious about your partner, sometimes it’s integral to just sit down and listen as intently as possible. Set a time and make sure you put away your phones, so as not to be distracted while the other person is talking. Don’t have the TV on, either! Look your partner in the eyes and listen quietly, allowing them to vent or simply tell you about their day. This exercise helps the person feel heard and it can actually strengthen your relationship. 

Create Boundaries With Family

Extended family coming and going throughout the holidays can take a toll on a relationship. Different family dynamics can press all sorts of buttons! No matter how healthy or dysfunctional the family is, it’s important to establish boundaries in order to avoid tension, stress, and hurt feelings. Have a conversation with your partner about being on the same team and make a plan together. You can decide what to do if certain issues come up. It’s impossible to predict what people are going to say, but you can have a plan to redirect the conversation away from polarizing topics. Lastly, each partner should communicate boundaries with their own families, so that that responsibility doesn’t fall on the other person. 

Have Fun

Carve out time for fun this holiday season because there are so many activities that can bring joy. One of the best ways to connect with a partner is through laughter, fun, and play. Head to an outdoor ice skating rink or consider a holiday lights tour. You can even go to a mini golf place! If you want to be more low key, you can stay at home and play some cards or walk through the neighborhood holding hands on a cold night. Remember, fun exists even in the most ordinary places. 

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The bright lights and holiday cheer may inspire joy and feelings of love for a lot of people, but not everyone. This time of year can bring about feelings of isolation, grief, loneliness, and sadness, especially for people with clinical or seasonal depression. 

Psychiatrists explain that depression can occur around the holidays for numerous reasons. The holidays increase thoughts of family, social engagement, and relationships. If there are issues within those dynamics in people’s lives, depression can rise to the surface. The holidays also tend to demand more family time than usual, which can be highly stressful for some people. Family events may cause old conflicts, emotions, or situations to arrive that can be very difficult to navigate. 

How To Manage Depression During The Holidays

For many people, the winter can trigger seasonal affective disorder, or seasonal depression. Unlike traditional depression, seasonal depression occurs in a seasonal pattern, typically worsening in darker fall and winter months. Practicing good self-care is essential year round, but it is extra important during the holidays. You can combat lack of energy, fatigue, and other symptoms with various coping strategies and self-care practices. Whatever the cause of your depression, we hope the following tips can help you cope.

Assess Your Relationships And Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is a crucial element of self-care, especially for your emotional and mental health. The boundaries you set will depend on the different people in your life and the situations that you’ll encounter during the holidays. Maybe you limit the time you spend with certain people who cause you to feel negative emotions or heighten depressive symptoms. Establish boundaries for these people and set availability for them as well. Your time and mental health are paramount! If you struggle with setting boundaries, click here for some helpful tips. 

Create A Coping Sheet

A coping sheet is a list of your favorite activities that you can turn to when you feel down. Create your own coping sheet or develop one with your family members or therapist. Many coping sheets are filled with actions that can help manage depressive symptoms. Some popular things to include on your coping sheet are:

• Listening to music
• Painting 
• Meditating
• Singing
• Breathing techniques
• Positive self-talk
• Journaling
• Acupuncture

Get Outdoors And Stay Active

According to many studies, moving the body is one of the best ways to cope with depression, regardless of the season. One meta-analysis of 218 studies concluded that exercise is an effective way to manage depression. This was especially true for jogging, walking, strength training, and yoga. Exercise combined with psychotherapy proved to be the most effective way to experience depression relief. Researchers found that getting outside while engaging in exercise relieved depressive symptoms even more. Spending time in nature can help reduce risk of depression. One study found that time spent in green environments reduced the risk of anxiety and depression in the long run. Consider planning some fun, holiday outdoor activities. Go ice skating, snowboarding, sledding, or hiking, depending on where you live and what is available to you. 

Share How You Are Feeling With Loved Ones

During the holiday season, mental health experts recommend that you surround yourself with people you can rely on. These people can be family members or friends who can help you manage holiday depression. Reach out to people you trust and share how you are feeling. It’s impossible to know how friends or family will react, but the people who love you will be there for you no matter what. Confide in them about how you are feeling and they will most likely offer empathy, or share similar experiences that may help you feel less alone. Do not underestimate the power of community and love. People want to help, so just ask.

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Dieting during the holidays…is it possible? You bet your life! People have this notion that the holiday season is reserved for overeating and drinking excessive amounts at functions, parties, and work events. Plus, letting loose is often a great way to relieve the inevitable holidays stress or pressure from family and friends. That does not mean that you have to succumb to the temptation of endless holiday treats. 

Most people hold emotional attachments to holiday-specific dishes or treats. It is very common to associate these foods with meaningful memories during the holidays. The holidays are well underway, and there is no time like the present to take action. It will be difficult, but we believe that you have the strength to conquer the holidays while adhering to your diet! The following tips may help you dodge the pressure to overindulge. 

Plan Ahead

This rule truly applies to many things in life, but preparation is essential if you want to avoid failure. If you feel that your surroundings influence you easily, make your surroundings more comfortable. In fact, studies suggest that planning ahead and creating a plan can double your chance of success. If you plan to attend a holiday party, bring a healthy appetizer or dish, in addition to a healthy dessert option. When you know you have healthy food options, you will be less likely to overindulge on unhealthy items. If you are going to travel, make sure to plan ahead by bringing healthy snacks. 

Fill Up On Vegetables

Holiday spreads tend to showcase an assortment of carbs, proteins, and high-calorie desserts. Try your best to load up your holiday plate with as many vegetables and fruits as you can. Not only are they naturally rich in various nutrients, but they are also much lower in calories than other dishes. That doesn’t always apply, especially if you eat green bean casserole and candied yams. When we say “veggies,” we mean fruit salads, leafy greens, carrot sticks, and other sautéed root vegetables. 

Prioritize Your Favorites

There are seasonal treats that everyone looks forward to during the holidays. Maybe your vice is a slice of pumpkin pie or grandma’s homemade cinnamon rolls. There is nothing wrong with a small indulgence, but the trick is choosing the things you truly want to enjoy. If you say “yes” to everything, you are not doing yourself, or your diet efforts, any favors. Use this time of year as an opportunity to prioritize what you love and be strategic about it. That is especially true if you line up at the holiday buffet!

Track Your Calories And Macros

This sounds like an unpleasant chore, but you should keep track of your food intake because treats and alcohol are aplenty this time of year. It is very easy to go overboard with food, but paying attention to how much you consume is the best way to hold yourself accountable. When you input the information into your calorie counter, the results may surprise you. Small indulgences, such as a peppermint mocha latte, can affect your weekly average. Track your daily intake and use weekly averages to help determine whether you are sticking to your diet or not. Don’t punish yourself if you go a little overboard; rather, do your best to get back on the horse and meet your daily goals starting the following day. 

Remember Your “Why”

Weight loss motivation is more powerful than you realize. Remembering why you started your diet in the first place may be all it takes to keep holiday eating in check. If you have a support system, lean on them because they may help you remember why you started your weight loss journey. Remembering your “why” doesn’t mean that you have to eat perfectly. It will, however, remind you to either exercise or balance your indulgence with some healthier options. Change is very difficult, especially in regards to eating habits, and you have to work constantly to maintain your diet. Don’t give up on yourself just because you encounter some obstacles. You are strong and can make the necessary changes to maintain your diet this holiday season.

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