1. Get off to a good start

Try and make breakfast a sacred space, make this the one meal of the day you commit to being healthy, and whatever you do, don’t skip it!

Getting a head start on the day with a healthy breakfast will help you feel nourished and satisfied until lunchtime and encourage you to make healthier choices throughout the rest of the day.

A healthy breakfast doesn’t need to be boring; eggs are a great source of protein - try a poached or boiled egg on wholemeal toast.

Porridge is also a nutritious and warming way to start the day, for bonus points add some natural yoghurt and top with fresh fruit.

2. Stay hydrated

It’s easy in the cooler temperatures to forget to drink enough water but avoiding dehydration can be a game-changer during the festive season.

Dehydration is easily confused with hunger and can fuel an unnecessary festive snacking spree, as well as causing us to feel unwell.

During the winter season when flu and viruses are at their peak, there can be more chance of dehydration.

Experts recommend around eight glasses of water a day, which can include some hot drinks to keep you hydrated and feeling warm and full, like tea, or even just hot water with lemon.

Take a look at some of our tips for simple ways to stay hydrated.

3. Prep for parties

Top tip: don’t arrive hungry.

If you're heading to a party and want to be mindful of what you eat and drink, we'd recommend fueling up on a homemade, nutritious snack before heading out.

You’ll be impressed by how much it improves your urge to resist reaching for the canapes for the umpteenth time.

Try and incorporate some protein into your snack which slows stomach emptying and makes you feel more satisfied for longer.

Perhaps a plain yoghurt with some mixed berries, a potassium-rich banana or apple slices with peanut butter.

By being prepared, this means you can still enjoy socialising over the festive period, without harming your progress or healthy habits. 

4. Avoid the hangover

Not only does mid-week Christmas party drinking add a load of extra calories, it can also ruin your habits the entire following day. 

Alcohol can alter your blood sugar balance by consuming your storage of glycogen, or carbohydrates. When you've used up most of your glycogen stores to metabolise alcohol, you need more, causing you to feel hungry.

Typically after you've been drinking alcohol, your body is dehydrated, and dehydration can cause salt cravings.

This is what ultimately leads to eating more the day following a night of drinking. If you're trying to stick to healthy habits, this may be challenging to navigate.

Make sure you stay well hydrated and try and drink water in-between any festive alcoholic beverages. Line your stomach before you begin drinking.

Besides the extra calories and increased appetite, hangovers can make us feel very unwell and tired due to the lost sleep the night before. 

Minimising alcohol intake over the festive period is a great way to stay on track and not lose days to hangovers!

5. Incorporate exercise

With the short days and the numerous events to squeeze in over Christmas, it can be difficult to get the movement and exercise in.

It's very easy to find it's 4pm and dark again and you have barely left the sofa, let alone the house.

Keeping up with your movement goals over the festive period can make all the difference between feeling good come New Year or being totally off track.

Planning your exercise routine early into your day can help make you more likely to follow through with it.

Another way to kick start your motivation to exercise is to get dressed into your workout clothes. This often makes your mind think 'the work is half done' and can make getting into the workout easier.

Be specific about your plans and involve others to help keep you accountable. If you’re trying to catch up with lots of friends and family, perhaps arrange for a festive walk, instead of heading for coffee.

Dog walking can be another great way to get your exercise in during the festive period.

It's great motivation to get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. Even if it isn't as intense as your usual gym work out, it will work wonders for your physical and mental health.

6. Look after yourself during flu season

Last month was announced as the busiest November on record for A&E staff with a total of 2.31 million attendances.

Whilst we can’t stop you catching the flu or any viruses (sorry!), there are some ways we can try to protect ourselves from falling victim to becoming unwell.

Spending more time indoors in the winter makes spreading illnesses, coughs and colds a lot easier!

To minimise your chances of falling unwell during the festive period you can try simple steps such as:

• Washing your hands often
• Not sharing towels and items with household members who are ill
• Avoid touching your face - your mouth, eyes and nose are the most common place for germs to enter the body
• Getting enough sleep - a lack of sleep can adversely affect your immune system
• Avoid crowds - particularly on public transport or small indoor places with little ventilation
• Stay active - moderate levels of exercise reduce our susceptibility to illness

If you are unfortunately struck down with the flu or any illnesses over the festive period, some ways to help yourself feel better include, making sure you get enough rest, boosting vitamin C levels and eating foods that are easy to digest, hydrating and nutritious, such as broths and soups with lots of vegetables.

Health insurance policies typically come with access to a digital GP. If you are unwell you can benefit from access to GP appointments from the comfort of your home, or wherever you are, without the stress of needing to wait in a queue for an appointment.

This is particularly beneficial if you need some reassurance, with unlimited consultations throughout the year.

Our health and wellness is our most important asset to protect. If you would like to know more about how to protect your health with a private medical insurance policy, fill in the quick form below and one of our expert advisers will be in touch.