The holidays are a time of so much joy and excitement. Full stop. (Eh, not quite.) Like most things in life, this season comes with its pearly share of nuance. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”—but for many, it’s moreover the messiest and most stressful couple of months. And we’re lucky if we make it past New Year’s without so much as a sniffle. Needless to say, the holidays can do a number on our health. But to gainsay the inevitable colds and meltdowns—and offset the indulgences that we will be taking part in—we have our go-to healthy holiday hacks to weave in some wellness when it counts the most.

To be clear: if hours-long workouts and untried smoothies on repeat aren’t your jam, they don’t have to be. Alongside our holiday cookie-baking marathons and multiple gatherings each week, we’ll be taking plenty of time to get quiet with ourselves and connect with the rituals that help us finger our best.

Because rather than aiming for perfection, we’ve come virtually to unsuspicious that life is a journey of continuously falling in and out of balance. The latter doesn’t midpoint you’ve failed and stuff on your healthy A-game isn’t a moral success. Instead, these healthy holiday hacks are intended to help you tune when in with yourself and serve as a reminder of all that keeps you aligned during a time year when you may need them most.

40 Healthy Holiday Hacks to Support You, Soul and Mind

With these ideas at the ready, it’s our hope that you can protract feeling your weightier this holiday. Sure, maybe you aren’t eating the “healthiest” or keeping up with your pre-November workout routine. But you’re prioritizing what’s most important this holiday season. And here’s a friendly reminder: that looks variegated for everyone.

Movement Holiday Habits

1. Embrace the eyeful of a 10-minute workout. Platforms like Form, barre3, and Soul Sync Body all offer quick workouts. It’s an easy way to build momentum and set the foundation for a day of movement.

2. Walk with others. During a time of year full of family and friends, this is one of our favorite healthy holiday hacks. Recruit someone to get a little fresh air together—just be sure to leave your phone at home.

3. Stretch surpassing bed. Largest yet, make a routine of it! It’s a simple way to transition from the busyness of your day and wind lanugo for sleep. Camille plane swears by it.

4. Play football on Thanksgiving. It’s tradition, without all. But if football isn’t a thing for your family, you can moreover unify a pick-up game of soccer, pickleball, or whatever other sport you love.

5. Enjoy the snow. Sure, this healthy holiday hack may not wield to everyone. But if you’re lucky unbearable to have a winter wonderland outside, make the most of it! We’re imaging snowball fights, forts, snowmen…

6. Go ice skating. Outside or at your local rink. You don’t plane have to know how to hockey stop—it’s easy to work up a sweat regardless.

7. Schedule a family hike. That “hike” can midpoint miles uphill or a small jaunt in your local park. Whatever the terrain, it’s a fun way to connect with family while they’re in town.

8. Sneak in a morning workout. Raise of hands if you’re waking up with tight hips and achy joints thanks to all the holiday activity. There’s no largest way to come when into structuring than with a juicy yoga flow. We’re partial to these (free!) workouts.

9. Sign up for a holiday fun run. Operative word: fun. Turkey Trots and holiday races tend to be a low-key affair. And the weightier part? The finish line usually comes with a side of hot cocoa.

10. Walk to see the holiday lights. Skip the car ride this year and venture out (in the proper attire, of course). This is one of the most magical activities—and a favorite healthy holiday hack, too.

Nutrition Holiday Habits

11. Make salads fun again. There was a time when salads took a when seat to the creamier, richer dishes. But thankfully, our taste buds have seen the light—and salads are a holiday star. At your next gathering, consider serving this squash & farro salad, a roasted honeynut squash salad, or Camille’s holiday jewels kale salad. Largest yet, opt for all three.

12. Drink your greens. Of all the healthy holiday hacks, this might be the easiest. (Not to mention, gives you the most zinger for your buck.) We’re all fans of AG1, but other faves include Equilibria, Thorne, and Amazing Grass.

13. Sip on unorthodoxy broth. It’s a tasty way to warm up and uplift your gut health. Legit: it’s liquid gold.

14. Make a few nutrient-dense swaps. Sometimes, only sour surf will satisfy. But when you want to pack in protein and get a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants, make some of these nutritionist-approved ingredient swaps.

15. Drink a ton of water. We know you know: it’s important for everything from hydrating your skin to balancing electrolytes to maintaining proper digestion. Make things a little increasingly interesting with lemon or cucumber slices. We’re moreover fans of the Apothékary lineup of functional tinctures that taste amazing.

16. Go zero-proof. If you like to toast to the holidays with a glass of bubbly but don’t love the ensuing hangover, swap in non-alcoholic bevvies that taste like the real-deal—and oftentimes, better. These are our faves.

17. Enjoy sleepy-time foods. The holidays can wreak havoc on our sleep. Give yourself a helping hand with tryptophan-rich foods that encourage a restful snooze. (Hint: It’s not just turkey!)

18. Simplify your supplements. Thankfully, brands know what we need—and that’s super-packed supplements that don’t midpoint opening a million bottles. We’re loving Grüns daily gummy packs, which are backed by science to support everything from gut health to immunity to smart-ass function.

19. Eat slowly. And mindfully. With so many succulent dishes and recipes to enjoy throughout the holidays, it’s important to slow lanugo not just for digestion and satiety’s sake, but for the simple pleasure of reveling in good flavors and food.

20. Take digestive bitters. To remoter support digestion, bitters can help release gastric juice and stimulate saliva production, helping your soul unravel lanugo supplies increasingly effectively. Be sure to consult your health provider surpassing incorporating bitters into your routine.

Mindfulness Holiday Habits

21. Decorate with nature. Branches are one of our favorite ways to bring the outdoors inside. Get an expert’s tips on incorporating them into your home decor.

22. Embrace your morning routine. It’s the start of every productive day. Let these morning routine ideas inspire your own.

23. Periodical your thoughts. It’s a powerful way to connect with yourself and take stock of where you are, mentally and emotionally. Particularly during a rented time of year, this can be key. Start your practice today.

24. Romanticize your coffee. (Or tea!) Whatever warm instillation you choose, pick your favorite mug, light a candle, and enjoy the cozy warmth.

25. Read the weightier holiday books. ‘Tis the season to get cozy with a good read. These new releases are currently on our TBR.

26. Practice breathwork. It doesn’t have to be intimidating. These three zoetic exercises can help you find calm, stat.

27. Prioritize rest. Yes, even—perhaps especially—during the holidays, rest should be an essential part of your wellness routine. We tapped Ashley Neese, tragedian of Permission to Rest, to share how it’s done.

28. Enjoy mood lighting. As the viral TikTok goes: in this house, we never use the big light. Enjoy a little glow with candles, twinkly lights, and the environment of the Christmas tree.

29. Practice affirmations. It’s easy to write them off, but practicing positive affirmations is a powerful way to shift your mindset and embrace your weightier self.

30. Share your gratitudes. You can periodical well-nigh them, but why not share with loved ones and all of those who make your world a increasingly trappy and inspiring place just how much they midpoint to you? It makes all the difference.

Connection Holiday Habits

31. Cultivate intentional mornings. With your kids, your partner, your pets, and yourself. Embrace a little quiet surpassing the unconnectedness of the day begins.

32. Call your loved ones. The weightier time is now.

33. Send holiday notes. PSA: This doesn’t have to be a huge holiday to-do. Instead, identify a few people you’d like to reach out to with a written note. Share your love and pop it in the mail.

34. Experiment with intimacy oils. Call it a stocking stuffer souvenir for yourself. Enjoy the best lubricants with a partner or explore a world of pleasure all on your own.

35. Create no-phone zones. Designate unrepealable areas of the house or plane days during your holiday vacation where your phones are left off and stored in flipside room. Far yonder from the festitivites.

36. Invite someone who may be spending the holiday alone. If you know a friend or co-worker can’t be with their own family this year, have them over for dinner. It may just make their holiday.

37. Go caroling. Whether you do it with a denomination or a polity organization in your area, caroling is a unconfined way to get festive and embrace the seasonal spirit.

38. Host a holiday sultry day. Invite friends and neighbors to get messy in the kitchen. It’s a fun opportunity to swap traditional family recipes.

39. Share stockings with neighbors. Fill them with homemade goods and small local gifts. Just considering is a good unbearable reason.

40. Volunteer with family or friends. Without all, the holidays are brightest when we make them a little brighter for others.