by Jean Sidden

Created on: November 30, 2009

Christmas is a beautiful time of year. It is also one of the busiest times of year. As we face down our overflowing calendars it seems impossible for life to continue at any sort of normal pace. We have a tendency to set aside essential parts of our day-to-day routines that could actually help us process the stress of the season. One of these essentials is exercise.

Our normal exercise routines don't have to suffer during the holidays. Yes, it takes some careful planning to fit everything in, but it can be done. The real issue is how much we care to work on making sure we keep up with our active lives. Understanding how exercise can help us through the season may make it a priority.

Exercise is one of the ways we can manage the stress of the busy holiday season. Adrenalin in released each time we work out helping to keep us calmer and more at ease. Working up a good sweat is an excellent way to release toxins from the overload of heavy, rich holiday food. As we feel the financial strain on our pocket books, exercise can give us a much needed dose of endorphins to help keep our spirits up. Rather than let your muscles and stamina take a backward turn, remaining active will help keep you in shape so you can get back to a normal routine when the holidays are over

Scheduling activity can be accomplished in a number of different ways. Early morning is often an excellent time to slot exercise into your schedule. If you are able, get up an hour early and get in a walk or a short workout. Remember that your lunch hours at work can be used for walking. There are probably others in your office who may be in need of a brisk walk to combat the barrage of goodies that magically appear on every desk. If you live in a cold climate use half of that lunch hour trip to the mall for a brisk mall walk.

Remember that you can stagger your workout time throughout your day. The same results can be gained from breaking up a thirty-minute workout into three ten-minute time slots. If you have ten minutes in the morning, ten minutes at midday and ten minutes in the evening, you've accomplished scheduling exercise into your day. Have your lightweights ready at home and get some lifting in during commercial breaks of your favorite tv shows. Use the commercials to do jumping jacks, push ups or abdominal crunches.

Seek out ways to do everything more actively. Run an errand on your bike or by walking rather than driving your car. Trot around your house from one activity to another. Jog to your car in the parking lot rather than walk. Some of these ideas may seem silly but another valuable by product of jogging/trotting rather than walking is getting tasks accomplished faster.

If there is wood to be chopped for that roaring yuletide fire, volunteer. Don't shy away from shoveling snow if you are lucky enough to have a white Christmas. Yard work is always an excellent and useful way to keep active.

Go play in the snow with your children. Pull a sled up a snowy hill over and over for an afternoon and you've found a wonderful activity. If you live in a winter wonderland go cross-country skiing, snow shoeing or ice skating. If you live in a milder climate, throw the football or play basketball.

Finding ways to be active during Christmas may take creativity, but you will be rewarded throughout the season with feeling more energetic and able to take on the accelerated pace the holidays are famous for. Christmas is a time of joy and your exercise routine can also present an opportunity to include family and friends in the fun of the season. If you make it a point to remain active during Christmas you will come through the holidays better prepared to take on the New Year.

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