Starting the New Year healthy? Ditch bad habits like social media overload and mindless eating; instead, savor each moment and enjoy festive gatherings with friends and family.
Are you ringing in the New Year with a few not-so-healthy habits? You’re not alone! But maybe it’s time to ditch those habits and make this year your healthiest yet. We’re gonna explore some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
- Get Rid of Social Media!
- Indulge in What You Eat!
- Suggestions That May Encourage You to Stay at Home to Celebrate New Year’s Eve!
We’ll dig a little deeper into each one, so keep reading!
Get Rid of Social Media!
- In recent years, studies have pointed out that excessive use of social media—especially during nights like Christmas or New Year’s Eve—can cause feelings of sadness, from comparing ourselves to accounts of friends who are together and celebrating the new year (see: How to Avoid Holiday Anxiety!).
- A recent study from the University of Copenhagen found that browsing Facebook or other platforms can feel isolating if you’re just observing what your friends are up to. The study suggests taking a break from Facebook and other social media. We at Vitalo360 suggest doing this, especially on New Year’s Eve. ‘Cause this night can be full of mixed feelings and comparisons, so browsing social media can really make you feel worse.
- In a study published in the Cyberpsychology Journal, they found that people who frequently interact with friends on social media are more likely to experience envy than those who mainly browse.
So, with the New Year coming up, we advise you to unplug from social media for a week! What do you think? It might seem hard but it’ll positively impact your well-being. You might even surprise yourself!
Indulge in What You Eat!
We know, it’s not easy to avoid indulging in festive food during the holidays, what with all the eating, drinking, and snacking. So, how do you celebrate New Year’s with your friends without overdoing it? Here are some tips:
- Don’t start celebrating if you’re already feeling full. Before you sit down to eat, drink a cup of water. This will help reduce your appetite and stop you from eating a ton of food, or drinking a lot of sugary drinks. And if the holiday meals are usually a ton of different stuff being offered at once, it’s best not to eat too much at the beginning. Instead, a little of everything, so you enjoy the different tastes. ‘Cause if you get offered a lot, take only a bit; when offered a second time, take only a bit more (read: Learn about the causes and ways to treat overeating!).
- Think before you eat. This means indulging in everything that goes into your mouth, and enjoying it thoroughly. Set small goals for yourself, like taking a small piece rather than eating to feel full, and avoid temptations that make you want to have a little bit more of whatever is on your plate. The point is to make us differentiate between signals our body sends us ’cause of hunger and what we feel ’cause of external signals. Let’s aim to only eat when we are hungry and make eating a need. (For example: Emotional eating, the connection between our mental and emotional state and what we eat, and some types of medicines and allergies.)
- Make healthy food choices. Start by having a well-known food pyramid at the party to help you make healthy choices beforehand. This way you will give preferences to certain foods over others, for example, avoiding salads with dressings and red meat and rather eating seafood, and eating your veggies! And when it comes to the sweets offer, take a smaller piece or try to satisfy your sweet tooth by eating some fruit instead (read: Learn the benefits of fruits for teeth!).
- Talk more eat less. Holiday parties are great ’cause lots of people get together, and it’s nice to see and laugh and share stories! So, focus on the people around you, and share stories instead of reaching for food all the time.
- Avoid awkward situations with celebrators. Sometimes people eat because they want to share the dish with everyone or ’cause they want you to feel welcome, so avoid taking any food that might put anyone in that situation, so accept with a smile and talk happily about what you’re being offered, or ask those who are serving if you can sit and leave the food.
Suggestions That May Encourage You to Stay at Home to Celebrate New Year’s Eve!
If you’re thinking of going out and celebrating, these tips might change your mind about celebrating at home! ‘Cause celebrating outside might make you face the following:
- Dress warmly. Wear festive clothes that are appropriate for the cold weather this time of year. Who doesn’t want to show off in something sexy and cute, but some New Year’s celebrations are outside, and it’s easy to get sick. So, do not do it and just wear clothes that keep you warm and are festive. Some New Year’s Eve parties might be outdoors, and you could be standing in line for a long time to get inside the venue. Which is why you should dress appropriately if you intend to celebrate with friends. What better way to receive the New Year with laughter, fun and some warmth? Nothing! (read: 10 Tips to Treat the Flu Naturally!).
- You might want to spend another night this year somewhere where you can’t hear any of your friends! Therefore, isn’t it better to spend the holiday in your quiet home with a couple friends and family members while eating a hearty meal, in a calm atmosphere where they can chat without any outside noise!
- Going home will be a lot easier! You might be able to enjoy your festive evening, but going home may prove difficult, especially in places and countries where there’s a lot of traffic, especially at this time. So, why bother feeling anxious when you can just celebrate at home nicely while thinking of other things?
All in all, have a wonderful New Year everyone!
I used to dread New Year’s Eve ’cause of the pressure to have this amazing night out. Then I started hosting small game nights at my place, and it’s way more fun and relaxing. Plus, no battling the crowds!
Social media was a huge trigger for me, especially around the holidays. Taking a break for a week made such a difference. I felt less anxious and more present. It was nice to focus on what I had instead of what I thought I was missing.
I always overdid it with the food and drinks during New Year’s. But last year, I tried focusing on the conversations and the company, and it was so much better. I enjoyed the evening without feeling guilty or stuffed!
Myth & Facts
Myth: You need to spend a ton of money to have a good New Year’s Eve.
Actually, some of the best celebrations are simple and inexpensive. A cozy night in with friends, potluck-style, can be just as fun as a fancy night out.
Fact: Social media can make you feel worse during the holidays.
Yeah, seeing everyone’s “perfect” celebrations can trigger feelings of inadequacy. Taking a break can do wonders for your mental health.
So, as we wrap this up, remember that New Year’s is about reflection and new beginnings, not about stressing over perfect parties or comparing yourself to others. A healthier, happier year starts with small, conscious choices. Let’s raise a glass (of sparkling water!) to that!
