It’s Okay to Let Go of Some Healthy Habits Over the Holidays

From the flurry of December holiday events until well into the new year, many Americans struggle with maintaining even minimal healthy habits, according to a new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSU). Researchers asked more than 1,000 people over age 18 about their December and January behavior, and found that two-thirds said they overindulge in foods that wouldn’t be considered healthy, and about 45 percent said they “take a break” from any regular exercise. About half of respondents report feeling tired more frequently but also more overwhelmed or stressed due to having fewer opportunities for rest. Around 30 percent of respondents said they drink more alcohol at this time of year, too. The results aren’t surprising, considering veering away from normal routines and healthy habits are well-known effects of the holidays, according to Barbara Bawer, M.D., family medicine physician at OSU assistant professor of family and community medicine. “People do tend to lose track of their regular habits around this time and even skimping on one can create a ripple effect,” she told Runner’s World. For example, getting out of sync with a bedtime routine can lead to more daytime sleepiness, which has been shown in previous studies to sabotage healthy eating and increase stress levels. That can create a challenging cycle since both of those may negatively affect sleep as a result. Another difficulty is getting back into a better routine, added Bawer. When poor habits related to exercising, eating, drinking, and sleep all add up, it can drain motivation—even if you have robust New Year’s resolutions, she said. If you’re feeling significantly off track right now, there are three approaches to consider that may be helpful. [View in Browser]( [Runner's World Logo]( [SHOP]( [RW+ EXCLUSIVES]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [It’s Okay to Let Go of Some Healthy Habits Over the Holidays]( [It’s Okay to Let Go of Some Healthy Habits Over the Holidays]( [It’s Okay to Let Go of Some Healthy Habits Over the Holidays]( From the flurry of December holiday events until well into the new year, many Americans struggle with maintaining even minimal healthy habits, according to a new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSU). Researchers asked more than 1,000 people over age 18 about their December and January behavior, and found that two-thirds said they overindulge in foods that wouldn’t be considered healthy, and about 45 percent said they “take a break” from any regular exercise. About half of respondents report feeling tired more frequently but also more overwhelmed or stressed due to having fewer opportunities for rest. Around 30 percent of respondents said they drink more alcohol at this time of year, too. The results aren’t surprising, considering veering away from normal routines and healthy habits are well-known effects of the holidays, according to Barbara Bawer, M.D., family medicine physician at OSU assistant professor of family and community medicine. “People do tend to lose track of their regular habits around this time and even skimping on one can create a ripple effect,” she told Runner’s World. For example, getting out of sync with a bedtime routine can lead to more daytime sleepiness, which has been shown in previous studies to sabotage healthy eating and increase stress levels. That can create a challenging cycle since both of those may negatively affect sleep as a result. Another difficulty is getting back into a better routine, added Bawer. When poor habits related to exercising, eating, drinking, and sleep all add up, it can drain motivation—even if you have robust New Year’s resolutions, she said. If you’re feeling significantly off track right now, there are three approaches to consider that may be helpful. From the flurry of December holiday events until well into the new year, many Americans struggle with maintaining even minimal healthy habits, according to a new survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSU). Researchers asked more than 1,000 people over age 18 about their December and January behavior, and found that two-thirds said they overindulge in foods that wouldn’t be considered healthy, and about 45 percent said they “take a break” from any regular exercise. About half of respondents report feeling tired more frequently but also more overwhelmed or stressed due to having fewer opportunities for rest. Around 30 percent of respondents said they drink more alcohol at this time of year, too. The results aren’t surprising, considering veering away from normal routines and healthy habits are well-known effects of the holidays, according to Barbara Bawer, M.D., family medicine physician at OSU assistant professor of family and community medicine. “People do tend to lose track of their regular habits around this time and even skimping on one can create a ripple effect,” she told Runner’s World. For example, getting out of sync with a bedtime routine can lead to more daytime sleepiness, which has been shown in previous studies to sabotage healthy eating and increase stress levels. That can create a challenging cycle since both of those may negatively affect sleep as a result. Another difficulty is getting back into a better routine, added Bawer. 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