This content is brought to you in partnership with OrthoCarolina, one of the nation’s leading orthopedic practices with offices across the Southeast.  

There are plenty of people who throw their health and wellness goals out the window when the holiday rolls around.

But there’s something to be said for spending time with loved ones (whether virtually or in person) and indulging in your seasonal sips or treats of choice here and there without totally abandoning the routines you’ve put in place to keep your body nourished and active throughout the rest of the year.

If you’re looking for some tips to find healthy balance this winter without losing the magical holiday spirit that accompanies the season, we checked in with the folks at the OrthoCarolina Hickory Physical Therapy Center, and they’ve got you covered! Here are some of the top ways you can stay healthy over the holidays while still feeling holly jolly about it all.

Make workouts a group activity

Holiday workouts with the whole family are fun, healthy, and a social bonding time. You can always YouTube an exercise class, or simply turn on some music and dance!

Bodyweight exercises such as calf raises, air squats, lunges, and pushups are great for strengthening and do not require any equipment, so anyone in the family can join in on these healthy activities.

Cardio moves like jumping jacks and skaters are fun and require no equipment to burn calories and increase your heart rate.

You should always make sure you and the rest of your loved ones participating in the workout have good form, otherwise you could end up causing discomfort or injury!

You can consult with a personal trainer or physical therapist to learn correct body mechanics and techniques to prevent injuries.

The most travel-friendly fitness equipment

Just because you’re traveling for the holidays doesn’t mean that you have to leave all of your workout gear behind. In fact, your most versatile and travel-friendly fitness equipment hardly weighs a thing and will barely take up any space in your suitcase.

One of my favorite ways to exercise while traveling is with a TheraBand or other resistance band. It is extremely light and convenient to pack and can be used for a full-body workout!

For shoulder exercises, try stepping on one end of the band and holding the other in your hand. From there, you can perform bicep curls, side raises, forward raises, diagonal lifts, and upright rows. You can also tie a knot in the end of the band and shut it in a doorway and perform shoulder rotations and shoulder rows and extensions,.

For leg exercises, consider looping the band around a pole (or doorknob on a closed door) and on your foot. From there, you can perform side, forward, and backward kick outs for hip strengthening. You can also tie it around your ankles, then sit and kick out one leg at a time for quad strengthening!

These are great toning exercises and strengthening for major muscle groups that allow you to have increased stability and decreased risk for injury.

Remember, some is better than none!

Most importantly, keep in mind throughout your holiday celebrations this season that it’s worth taking any time at all that you can find to be active (even if it’s not what you’d consider a “complete” workout!).

Even a 10-15 minute jog, walk, or workout is better than being stationary all day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park a little further from the store so you can walk a few extra steps. Your heart and body will thank you, and you will have more energy and feel better doing all the fun holiday activities with your family and friends!

Learn more about making healthy choices from the experts at OrthoCarolina

Whether you’ve recently experienced an injury, need help with recovery after tough workouts, or are simply experiencing chronic pain and need help managing it, OrthoCarolina can help. Make an appointment at a location near you to start getting the treatment you need.