10 Healthy Holiday Habits to Enjoy Christmas Without the January Regret

Health Coaches Academy
Dec 1
6 min read

Christmas is coming, and with it often comes the annual challenge of staying healthy while actually enjoying yourself.

Perhaps you've previously experienced the familiar pattern of December indulgence followed by January regret and you’re not the only one. Research shows that UK adults gained an average of 1.52% body weight during the Christmas period, with that extra weight often lingering well into spring ^[1].

But being healthy at Christmas doesn't mean missing out on festive fun or following restrictive rules. It's about balance, smart choices, and sustainable habits that support your wellbeing while letting you savour every moment. This guide shares ten practical strategies to help you navigate the season with confidence, energy, and genuine enjoyment.

1. Set Realistic Festive Goals to Stay Healthy at Christmas

The most successful approach to avoid festive weight gain starts with setting realistic health goals. Instead of aiming for weight loss during December, focus on maintenance. Your goal is to emerge from the festive period feeling energised and comfortable in your body, not deprived or guilty.

The "I'll restart in January" mindset creates an unhelpful all-or-nothing approach that often leads to overindulgence. Instead, adopt festive wellness habits that work with your lifestyle right now. Think of Christmas as part of your year-round health journey, not a break from it. This shift in perspective helps you make balanced choices without feeling you're either "on" or "off" the wagon.

2. Smart Party Preparation

One of the most effective healthy Christmas eating tips is simple, and that’s never arrive at a festive gathering hungry. Have a small, protein-rich snack beforehand, such as Greek yoghurt, nuts, or a boiled egg. This takes the edge off your appetite and helps you make mindful choices.

If you can contribute to the gathering, bring a healthier option. A colourful vegetable platter, vibrant salad, or fruit-based dessert gives everyone nutritious choices. This demonstrates how to stay healthy at Christmas without announcing you're "being good" while others enjoy themselves.

3. Make Good Alcohol Choices

Nearly two-thirds of UK drinkers intend to drink more over Christmas than usual, with over half likely to binge drink on Christmas Day ^[2]. Understanding this pattern is the first step toward making smarter choices. You don't need to abstain completely, but being strategic helps you enjoy yourself while protecting your wellbeing.

Choose lower-calorie options like dry sparkling wine, spirits with soda water, or light beer instead of sugary cocktails or creamy liqueurs. The real game-changer, though, is alternating every alcoholic drink with a glass of water. This simple habit keeps you hydrated, slows your alcohol consumption, and helps you wake up feeling considerably better.

4. Keep Moving Over the Holidays

With only one in ten people in the UK meeting NHS activity guidelines, the festive period often sees movement drop even further ^[3]. Yet staying active doesn't require hours in the gym or upping the intensity of your workouts. It’s small, consistent movement that makes a real difference to your energy, mood, and how your body processes festive food.

Try incorporating these simple activities into your December routine:

Morning Walks: A 15–20-minute walk after breakfast helps digestion and sets a positive tone for the day
Family Games: Active games like charades, dancing, or garden football to get everyone moving

Stair Climbing: Use stairs whenever possible, whether at home, shopping centres, or work
Stretching: Five minutes of gentle stretching in the morning or evening helps maintain flexibility
Active Socialising: Suggest walking while catching up with friends

These festive wellness habits don't feel like exercise, but they keep your body active and your metabolism functioning well throughout the season.

5. Hydration and Blood Sugar Control

Understanding low carb Christmas strategies doesn't mean eliminating carbohydrates entirely. It means being strategic about when and how you eat them. Starting meals with protein helps stabilise blood sugar levels, reducing cravings and energy crashes. Whether turkey, salmon, eggs, or plant-based options, eating protein first sets you up for better choices.

Balanced meals combining protein, healthy fats, and vegetables keep you fuller longer. Enjoy festive treats after balanced meals rather than on an empty stomach to moderate blood sugar impact. Drinking plenty of water supports your body and distinguishes genuine hunger from thirst.

6. Healthy Snacking and Portion Control

The festive period brings endless snacking opportunities, from office treats to advent calendars. Rather than trying to resist everything, focus on healthy Christmas eating tips that give you satisfying alternatives. Having nutritious snacks readily available means you're less likely to reach for less nourishing options when hunger strikes.

Consider these practical festive swaps:

Instead of Crisps: Try roasted chickpeas, vegetable sticks with hummus, or air-popped popcorn
Instead of Biscuits: Choose dark chocolate with nuts, oatcakes with nut butter, or homemade energy balls
Instead of Sugary Drinks: Opt for sparkling water with fresh fruit, herbal teas, or homemade smoothies
Instead of Large Portions: Use smaller plates to naturally reduce serving sizes without feeling deprived
Instead of Seconds Immediately: Wait 20 minutes before deciding if you're genuinely still hungry

When worrying about how to stay healthy at Christmas, these simple switches help you achieve this while still enjoying festive flavours and social moments around food.

7. Coping with Indulgence

One indulgent meal doesn't undo your health. Yet many treat a single "slip-up" as complete failure, abandoning healthy habits until January. This thinking trap makes it harder to avoid festive weight gain.

If you overindulge at a party, simply move on. Your next meal is an opportunity to return to balanced choices, not a reason to extend indulgence for weeks. Think of healthy eating like a bank account: one large withdrawal doesn't mean emptying it. Reframing these moments as normal parts of a flexible approach removes guilt and supports better choices going forward.

8. Sleep and Recovery

Amid December's excitement, sleep often becomes the first casualty. Yet consistent sleep patterns form the foundation of festive wellness habits that actually work. When well-rested, you make better food choices, have more energy for activity, and cope with stress effectively.

Aim to keep similar bedtimes and wake times, even on weekends. Your body thrives on routine, and irregular sleep disrupts hormones controlling hunger and fullness. Creating a relaxing pre-bed routine, limiting evening screen time, and keeping your bedroom cool and dark all support quality sleep. These simple practices can remarkably impact every other aspect of your festive health.

9. Stress Management

December brings joy, but also pressure with social obligations, financial concerns, family dynamics, and endless to-do lists. Chronic stress affects your physical health, often leading to emotional eating, poor sleep, and reduced motivation. Managing stress isn't a luxury; it's essential for wellbeing.

Simple techniques make a real difference. Try deep breathing when overwhelmed or take three slow breaths before responding to stressful situations. Regular short breaks help you reset rather than reaching burnout. Setting aside time for activities you enjoy gives your mind necessary respite. Remember that saying no to some invitations allows you to be fully present at events you do attend.

10. Social Boundaries

The festive season often comes with expectations, such as attending every gathering, hosting events, or meeting everyone's needs while neglecting your own. Learning to set boundaries protects your time, energy, and mental health. You don't need to explain or justify your choices.

It's perfectly acceptable to leave parties early, decline invitations that don't appeal to you, or spend quiet time alone. Creating space for rest isn't antisocial; it ensures you show up authentically when you do engage. Consider scheduling "nothing" time in your calendar like appointments. This deliberate rest prevents exhaustion that often leads to poor health choices, setting you up for genuine enjoyment.

How Health Coaches Support Festive Wellbeing

Navigating the festive period while maintaining your health becomes significantly easier with professional support. Health Coaches specialise in helping clients develop sustainable habits that work with their lifestyle, not against it.

They provide accountability when motivation wavers, guidance through challenging situations, and personalised Christmas nutrition coaching tips that reflect your individual circumstances.

Rather than prescribing rigid rules, Health Coaches help you understand your own patterns and create strategies that feel manageable. They support habit formation that lasts beyond January, addressing the underlying behaviours rather than just temporary willpower.

At Health Coaches Academy, our qualified professionals understand the unique challenges the festive season presents. Our Level 5 Health Coaching Diploma equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to help clients develop balanced approaches that honour both health goals and life enjoyment.

Your Festive Wellness Journey Starts Here

If you' would like to develop your understanding of not just festive wellness but health and wellbeing as a whole, consider training as a Health Coach.

To learn more about a career in this fast-growing profession, join one of our free introductory webinars here.