Maintaining a consistent exercise routine during the holiday season can present a challenge, yet it is a vital aspect of overall wellness and balance. Regular physical activity not only aids in stress management and weight maintenance but also enhances mood, energy levels, and immune function.
Holiday Exercise Tips
You do not need to completely forgo your dedication to fitness during the holidays, although some adjustments may be necessary. Consider the following tips to help you stay active during the holiday season.
Be Creative
One of the crucial elements of integrating exercise into your holiday schedule is to think creatively and remain adaptable. Instead of solely relying on your usual gym routine, explore new ways to stay active that correspond with the season's festivities. For instance, engage in a brisk walk or hike with your loved ones, take part in a holiday-themed fitness class, or even attempt ice skating or sledding. Wear your sneakers to the mall and briskly walk between stores to transform your typical mall visit into a heart-healthy exercise. Explore a walking holiday light display. Seek opportunities to embrace the season while incorporating exercise.
Something is Better than Nothing
Some individuals abandon exercise entirely during the holiday season because their regular gym routine does not align with their busy holiday agenda, leading them to accept a sedentary season. However, every small effort counts. If you discover that your holiday schedule is packed, look for ways to incorporate short bursts of activity throughout the day. Take a brief 10-15 minute break for stretching or bodyweight exercises, or choose the stairs over the elevator whenever feasible. Set a reminder on your phone or watch to stand up and move every hour. Studies demonstrate that engaging in bodyweight exercises or even simple walking can counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Every bit of movement contributes to your overall well-being and aids in maintaining balance during this hectic period.
Have a Plan
Exercise often falls off the radar as the holiday season unfolds, with schedules shifting and routines being disrupted. The most straightforward approach to staying active during the holidays is to schedule exercise. When planning your week, consider possible times and ways to incorporate exercise. It is essential to set realistic goals. Establish achievable objectives for when and where you can exercise during the holiday season to increase your chances of success. Having a plan makes it easier and more probable that you will engage in regular exercise.
Exercise in the Morning
You are more likely to succeed in your holiday exercise endeavors by prioritizing morning exercise. Exercising in the morning sets a positive tone for your day, providing a sense of achievement that carries over into the rest of your activities. Morning exercise also triggers the release of feel-good chemicals at the start of your day. Additionally, you won't need to rearrange your schedule to fit in physical activity later in the day, alleviating the stress of finding time to exercise. Morning exercise is an effective method to stay active and on track during the holiday season.
Remember, the key is to engage in activities that you enjoy and that align with your holiday schedule. By prioritizing exercise, you will not only enjoy the physical benefits but also experience the mental and emotional advantages of stress reduction and enhanced mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distinction between holistic medicine and traditional medicines?
Traditional medicine only treats symptoms. Holistic medicine treats the entire person. Holistic medicine treats the whole person rather than just treating one aspect.
Traditional medicine treats only a few organs or system (such as the mind), while holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the human body. It considers the impact of lifestyle choices on overall wellness.
What is holistic medicine?
A holistic medicine doctor is someone who treats patients holistically. They might use traditional techniques such as herbs or acupuncture, but they also integrate them into western medicine.
They aim to treat an illness rather than just treat symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
Doctors should not just focus on treating the disease, but also helping to prevent future ones.
Holistic refers to all aspects of someone's life.
What is Alternative Medicine and How Does It Work?
This is a holistic approach to healing that emphasizes prevention over treatment. It encourages consumers to become educated and active in improving their well-being.
Alternative medicine refers only to any type of treatment and diagnosis that does NOT use allopathic (conventional).
Statistics
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
webmd.com
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal – Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
How To
What kind of products are used in holistic medicine?
These products can be described as natural, but not necessarily organic. They may have been grown using natural fertilizers and pesticides, but they were also processed in ways that are less harmful to human health. Some herbs can cause allergic reactions and may need to have different preparations depending on the individual. It is more common to find herbs in grocery stores than at health food shops. These latter may contain higher levels herbicides as well as fungicides.
The majority of herbal products are made from dried plants. Some prefer liquid forms of herbal supplements, as they tend to be more affordable. But, liquid herbs are not necessarily safer. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. It's not guaranteed that the product will retain its original strength. In addition, most herbal supplements don't undergo quality control testing before being put on store shelves.
Most herbs and spices are added to food once it is cooked. They are often found in condiments such ketchup or mustard, salad dressings and soup mixes.
Supplements can be taken orally (by the mouth). Most vitamins or minerals come in tablet format. Others are available in capsule form.
Homeopathic remedies, which are highly diluted substances, can be derived from any plant, animal or mineral. They are intended to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. They are not considered “homeopathic” but they work in the same way as regular medication. They work on the body's immune systems to restore balance and promote wellbeing. Homeopathic remedies are safe and nontoxic. They are widespread in Europe, Canada Australia, New Zealand South America, Asia and Africa.
Acupuncture uses fine needles to insert into specific points along your meridians. The practice is based upon a traditional Chinese medical theory, which states that there are energy channels through the body through which life force flows. Blockages in these channels can lead to illness, according to the theory. By stimulating energy flow along the meridian lines, the body is believed to recover its normal functioning.
Chiropractors correct misalignments by manipulating the spine. American doctor Daniel David Palmer developed this technique in 1895. He claimed that he could diagnose illness and cure them by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments and muscle tests. He also percussion.
Chiropractic has gained popularity in recent years. Many people believe chiropractic works better than conventional medicine when it comes to back pain.
Massage therapy is a form of massage that involves massaging, kneading or tapping muscles, joints and other body parts. Massage helps loosen tight muscles, reduce tension, and relax sore muscles. Swedish massage, deep-tissue, sports, reflexology and myofascial relief are some of the techniques used by massage therapists.
Reflexology refers to alternative medicine that uses pressure to apply pressure to specific areas of your feet and hands using thumb pads and fingers. Reflexologists believe that this technique stimulates the body’s natural ability heal.
Aromatherapy uses essential oil extracted from plants to relieve stress and boost mood. Essential oils are also therapeutic because their chemical composition can benefit health conditions ranging from headache relief to arthritis treatment. Aromatherapy can be used in many ways, including:
Craniosacral therapy uses gentle touch to relieve pain and discomfort. Cranial is the skull, sacrum is Latin for “sac”, and cranial-sacral therapy combines both. In this therapy, the therapist applies light pressure to various spots on the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and torso while moving her/his hands across the patient's body.
Cupping therapy uses cups placed on the skin to produce suction and draw out toxins. Cupping may also be used in combination with acupuncture (burning herbs), or as a detox method.
Supplements are either oral or topical products that contain vitamins and minerals, herbs extracts, enzymes, probiotics. antioxidants, and other fatty acids. Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1993 regulates the FDA. Two criteria must be met before a dietary supplement can be legally sold. To be legally sold, a dietary supplement must meet two requirements. First, it must contain a “dietary element,” which is a supplement that contains more than one percent of a Vitamin, Mineral, Herb, or Other Botanical listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized AS Safe List. Second, it must have been manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices, meaning its ingredients were handled properly during production.
Electrotherapy uses electrical currents in order to stimulate nerves or muscles. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is the most popular form of electrotherapy. The skin electrodes used to place TENS devices allow for low-level electrical pulses. These pulses activate brain receptors to block pain signals. You can also use electrotherapy in other ways, such as interferencential current therapy or magnetic field treatment, and even ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based in the belief that everyone has inherent healing abilities. Also, that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have an impact on our physical health. Energy healing has been around since ancient times. Modern practitioners however, accept that there are multiple layers to our energy. One layer is called emotional and another is mental energy. One layer is called emotional energy. Another layer is mental energy. Others include physical, spiritual, chakras, vital, life force, prana, kundalini, biofield, aura, and quantum fields. Some believe that these energies are connected to the universe at large. Some believe they are able to heal others by using their minds. There is not much scientific evidence supporting energy medicine.
Energy psychology is the study and application of human emotions to physiological functions. Sometimes, it's considered an alternative therapy to psychotherapy. It focuses less upon past events and more on helping clients alter their present behavior. Although energy psychology does not have a particular theoretical framework, it draws from many disciplines including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transactional analysis, interpersonal psychoanalysis and attachment theory.
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If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you're experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Priscilla Lundquist
Title: Incorporating Exercise into Your Holiday Season
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/fitness/including-exercise-into-your-holiday-season/
Published Date: Sat, 09 Nov 2024 19:20:42 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distinction between holistic medicine and traditional medicines?
Traditional medicine only treats symptoms. Holistic medicine treats the entire person. Holistic medicine treats the whole person rather than just treating one aspect.
Traditional medicine treats only a few organs or system (such as the mind), while holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the human body. It considers the impact of lifestyle choices on overall wellness.
What is holistic medicine?
A holistic medicine doctor is someone who treats patients holistically. They might use traditional techniques such as herbs or acupuncture, but they also integrate them into western medicine.
They aim to treat an illness rather than just treat symptoms. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.
Doctors should not just focus on treating the disease, but also helping to prevent future ones.
Holistic refers to all aspects of someone's life.
What is Alternative Medicine and How Does It Work?
This is a holistic approach to healing that emphasizes prevention over treatment. It encourages consumers to become educated and active in improving their well-being.
Alternative medicine refers only to any type of treatment and diagnosis that does NOT use allopathic (conventional).
Statistics
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
- category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
webmd.com
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
liebertpub.com
- Games for Health Journal – Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
How To
What kind of products are used in holistic medicine?
These products can be described as natural, but not necessarily organic. They may have been grown using natural fertilizers and pesticides, but they were also processed in ways that are less harmful to human health. Some herbs can cause allergic reactions and may need to have different preparations depending on the individual. It is more common to find herbs in grocery stores than at health food shops. These latter may contain higher levels herbicides as well as fungicides.
The majority of herbal products are made from dried plants. Some prefer liquid forms of herbal supplements, as they tend to be more affordable. But, liquid herbs are not necessarily safer. Liquid herbs can lose nutrients during processing. It's not guaranteed that the product will retain its original strength. In addition, most herbal supplements don't undergo quality control testing before being put on store shelves.
Most herbs and spices are added to food once it is cooked. They are often found in condiments such ketchup or mustard, salad dressings and soup mixes.
Supplements can be taken orally (by the mouth). Most vitamins or minerals come in tablet format. Others are available in capsule form.
Homeopathic remedies, which are highly diluted substances, can be derived from any plant, animal or mineral. They are intended to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms. They are not considered “homeopathic” but they work in the same way as regular medication. They work on the body's immune systems to restore balance and promote wellbeing. Homeopathic remedies are safe and nontoxic. They are widespread in Europe, Canada Australia, New Zealand South America, Asia and Africa.
Acupuncture uses fine needles to insert into specific points along your meridians. The practice is based upon a traditional Chinese medical theory, which states that there are energy channels through the body through which life force flows. Blockages in these channels can lead to illness, according to the theory. By stimulating energy flow along the meridian lines, the body is believed to recover its normal functioning.
Chiropractors correct misalignments by manipulating the spine. American doctor Daniel David Palmer developed this technique in 1895. He claimed that he could diagnose illness and cure them by manipulating the vertebrae. His methods included spinal adjustments and muscle tests. He also percussion.
Chiropractic has gained popularity in recent years. Many people believe chiropractic works better than conventional medicine when it comes to back pain.
Massage therapy is a form of massage that involves massaging, kneading or tapping muscles, joints and other body parts. Massage helps loosen tight muscles, reduce tension, and relax sore muscles. Swedish massage, deep-tissue, sports, reflexology and myofascial relief are some of the techniques used by massage therapists.
Reflexology refers to alternative medicine that uses pressure to apply pressure to specific areas of your feet and hands using thumb pads and fingers. Reflexologists believe that this technique stimulates the body’s natural ability heal.
Aromatherapy uses essential oil extracted from plants to relieve stress and boost mood. Essential oils are also therapeutic because their chemical composition can benefit health conditions ranging from headache relief to arthritis treatment. Aromatherapy can be used in many ways, including:
Craniosacral therapy uses gentle touch to relieve pain and discomfort. Cranial is the skull, sacrum is Latin for “sac”, and cranial-sacral therapy combines both. In this therapy, the therapist applies light pressure to various spots on the head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and torso while moving her/his hands across the patient's body.
Cupping therapy uses cups placed on the skin to produce suction and draw out toxins. Cupping may also be used in combination with acupuncture (burning herbs), or as a detox method.
Supplements are either oral or topical products that contain vitamins and minerals, herbs extracts, enzymes, probiotics. antioxidants, and other fatty acids. Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1993 regulates the FDA. Two criteria must be met before a dietary supplement can be legally sold. To be legally sold, a dietary supplement must meet two requirements. First, it must contain a “dietary element,” which is a supplement that contains more than one percent of a Vitamin, Mineral, Herb, or Other Botanical listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized AS Safe List. Second, it must have been manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices, meaning its ingredients were handled properly during production.
Electrotherapy uses electrical currents in order to stimulate nerves or muscles. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is the most popular form of electrotherapy. The skin electrodes used to place TENS devices allow for low-level electrical pulses. These pulses activate brain receptors to block pain signals. You can also use electrotherapy in other ways, such as interferencential current therapy or magnetic field treatment, and even ultrasound therapy.
Energy healing is based in the belief that everyone has inherent healing abilities. Also, that our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs can have an impact on our physical health. Energy healing has been around since ancient times. Modern practitioners however, accept that there are multiple layers to our energy. One layer is called emotional and another is mental energy. One layer is called emotional energy. Another layer is mental energy. Others include physical, spiritual, chakras, vital, life force, prana, kundalini, biofield, aura, and quantum fields. Some believe that these energies are connected to the universe at large. Some believe they are able to heal others by using their minds. There is not much scientific evidence supporting energy medicine.
Energy psychology is the study and application of human emotions to physiological functions. Sometimes, it's considered an alternative therapy to psychotherapy. It focuses less upon past events and more on helping clients alter their present behavior. Although energy psychology does not have a particular theoretical framework, it draws from many disciplines including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transactional analysis, interpersonal psychoanalysis and attachment theory.