Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels Christmas is typically a time to overindulge, but don't let this be your excuse! You may still enjoy all of the season's events and get through the Christmas season without negatively impacting your health or waistline. Try our top ten healthy Christmas recommendations.

1. Do Not Sit All Day

We know that every Christmas special under the sun will be on TV, but you don't have to spend the whole day on the couch! Encourage everyone in the family to go for a stroll at some time, preferably after dinner to improve digestion. Take any new outdoor presents, like as bikes, scooters, footballs, or Frisbees, or play old-fashioned activities, since the more active, the better.

2. Take it easy with the alcohol

If you're staying at home for the holidays, those alcohol units may quickly add up. Mulled wine on Christmas Eve, Bucks Fizz with brunch, wine with supper, Baileys, brandy... So, try to keep track of how much you're drinking and alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

3. Don't Stuff Yourself For Christmas!

According to recent studies, we eat over 3,000 calories during our Christmas meal - more than the whole recommended daily consumption for an adult male! This massive feast not only leads to weight gain but also to indigestion and heartburn, not to mention sleepiness for the remainder of the day, lowering your odds of burning off much of it. Rather than overindulging on Christmas dinner, eat a normal-sized meal and then take a 20-minute pause to check whether you are still hungry (it takes this long for the brain to register that the stomach is full). You'll probably realize you've had enough.

4. Avoiding Colds

Colds are common around the holidays, in part because many of us travel across the nation, exposing ourselves - and others - to various cold viruses. Reduce your risks by having a strong immune system (eating a good diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding smoking will help), which will allow you to fight off infections more effectively.

5. Don't Worry

' Tis the season to be cheerful,' yet jolly is the last thing many of us feel with overspending, cooking, cleaning, never-ending 'to-do' lists, and unwanted company. Maintain a sense of humor and proportion. Is it the end of the world if the vegetables are overdone or the mantelpiece is dusty? Do you truly care about Auntie Mary's opinion of you and your partner living together but not married? Remember that Christmas is just one day out of 365, and it's not worth fussing over.

6. Consume Fruit

Let's be honest: most of us spend the whole Christmas season eating nothing but the satsuma in our stockings. It just does not appear on the Christmas menu. But, with late nights, overindulging, and partying, it's more crucial than ever to acquire your vitamins and minerals to be healthy. Make sure your Christmas shopping list includes enough fruit and vegetables to fill your fruit bowl and meet your daily fruit and vegetable requirements. (And no, mulled wine does not qualify as a single serving!)

i7. Volunteer to Help Others

It's difficult to escape the commercialization that has engulfed Christmas in the Western world, but it doesn't have to be all about giving or getting goods. This holiday season, try to do something kind for others, whether it's making extra mince pies for an elderly neighbor or giving presents to a local charity.

8. Consider Your Options Before Eating

Christmas is a time of abundance, and with nuts, chocolates, mince pies, and cheese straws everywhere, it would be somewhat Scrooge-like to propose that you refrain from eating any delicacies throughout the holiday season! But before you blindly shove whatever is in front of you into your mouth, take a time to consider if you actually want it or are simply eating it because it's there.

9. Use Your Brain

Instead of turning off the TV, keep your mind engaged by playing games such as Trivial Pursuit or Charades. This is also an excellent method to bring everyone together. If you aren't a 'gamer,' keep your mind active by setting up any new technologies, such as Playstations, iPads, cell phones, or computers.

10. Cook With Caution

If your Christmas chores involve preparing the meal, you'll be disappointed to learn that December is one of the most prevalent months for individuals to suffer food poisoning, according to the Food Standards Agency. To reduce the hazards, avoid leaving food out all day. Put out tiny portions at a time, so that what is on the table has just been prepared or taken from the refrigerator. Ideally, utilize or freeze any leftovers within 48 hours. When it comes to turkey, always thaw it in the fridge, allowing 10 to 12 hours per kilo, and never wash it, since this might transmit germs that will be killed by cooking anyhow.

Most importantly, enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season!