Food free festive fun

23 Dec Food free festive fun

Is food free festive fun a thing? When we think of Christmas, we think of mince pies, turkey, pigs in blankets, Christmas pudding and of course, drinks! Whilst food is a wonderful part of Christmas, navigating through all of the indulgent food and drinks can be tricky. Especially when we are trying to be mindful of what we are eating and achieve healthy weight loss. 

However, it is important to remember that food and drink is not the be all and end all of Christmas. There are so many other enjoyable aspects of Christmas. It can be easy to lose sight of this when we are surrounded by Christmas buffets and work parties. 

So, if you start feeling overwhelmed this Christmas, consult this list of food free festive fun! 

Christmas Films 

That’s right, Christmas films are now making an appearance on our TV screens! Feeling stressed from all the frantic Christmas activities? A Christmas film is the perfect way to unwind and relax. Want to keep your activity levels up? Why not put the film on in the background whilst doing your weekly meal prep? 

Alternatively, you could get active during the ads – the NHS have some great home workout inspiration! 

Winter Walks 

 Getting out for a walk during the winter is great for our health. Have you been stuck inside all day or feel the need to get active after a filling meal? A brisk winter walk can do wonders for our mind and bodies. The festive season is also a great time to practice mindfulness. With festive lights, decorations and the chance of snow, a walk is the perfect opportunity to take in and appreciate your surroundings. 

Spend time with family and friends 

With so many cards to write and presents to wrap, the festive season can be stressful! As a result it can be easy to lose sight of one of the true meanings of Christmas. Spending time with family and friends. Why not make extra effort to visit family and friends that you may not see as often as you would like. 

Give Back 

Christmas can be a time to give back to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Volunteering not only helps bring families together, but it can also be an uplifting experience for those who find Christmas a difficult time. Researching local soup kitchens and homelessness shelters can be a great start to see whether they need more volunteers through the winter months or extra donations in the run up to Christmas. 

Volunteering doesn’t just have to be for Christmas. You might find that it is something you wish to continue with after – great news! Not only are charity groups always looking for continued support, studies have shown that acts of giving are linked to increased mental health and wellness for all involved. 

Check out your local area to find out how you can get involved. Be part of a thriving community! 

Reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year! 

December can be a good opportunity to take time to reflect on the past year. It can be a time to recognise our achievements, or how we might choose to go about things differently. These reflections can be used to formulate any new goals that we may have for the coming year. 

The new year is a perfect time to start a fresh and build in new lifestyle changes that can support us on our journeys to living healthier lifestyles. It might be worth keeping SMART goals in mind! 

So, there we have it! It can be easy to feel worried or anxious in the run up to Christmas with regards to making healthy lifestyle changes when there are so many temptations around. Just remember that there are so many other aspects to Christmas that food really doesn’t need to be the main focal point of the festive season. Next time you need some inspiration, check out this list of food free festive fun! 

Looking for some extra support? Visit our Get Started page to find out more about how we can support your healthy lifestyle journey with one of our free programmes.