Best gift you can give yourself this holiday is the gift of good health

Watch out for #1. Take care of yourself first and the rest of your holiday will flow more smoothly. We sometimes go too far during the holidays because there’s so much more to do. The result is being tired which can make it hard to focus for quitting smoking and put a person who has just quit in danger of a starting again. Take steps every day to take care of your mental and physical health this holiday season. The following tips are a daily checklist to make sure you stay on track.

Take a Multivitamin: Getting the extra lift of a daily vitamin is good when you’re busy and skip meals your body lacks good food.

*Smoking and Vitamin Depletion

Eat a Nutritious Breakfast: Start your day off right. Eat a well-balanced meal that provides your body with the energy it needs.

*Don’t Skip Breakfast

Drink Plenty of Water: Water is important for our bodies to function properly. Poor hydration leaves us achy and tired, so be aware of your water intake and make sure you get enough.

*Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Keep Moving: Exercise give us energy and makes us feel better Park at the back of the lot when shopping, use the stairs instead of the escalator, and hit all of the aisles at the grocery store.

*Top Health Benefits of Exercise

Get Your Beauty Sleep: If you don’t get enough sleep, everything else suffers. Get at least 7 to 8 hours a night and add a nap during the day if you can. A well-rested you will be better equipped to manage stress and maintain your quit attempt.

*The Value of Sleep When You Quit Smoking

Don’t forget to Breathe!: Deep breathing is an immediate fix for stress and you can do it anywhere. Breathe in through your nose for a count of three and exhale through your mouth for a count of three. Repeat this for a few minutes, and the tension in your body will begin to fall away.

*Deep Breathing Tips

Let it Go – Relax your expectations a little and give yourself a break this year. Maintaining your quit program takes energy, so allow for that by cutting back on the amount of work you do in preparation for the holiday season this year. Make a couple of lists — one that details the things you must do, and one that lists the tasks you can let go if necessary. Lists will help you see the whole picture and prioritize. From there, let others help you. Friends and family are usually happy to help — all you need to do is ask. Relieve the pressure on yourself, and simplify where possible. You can return to your normal routine next year when smoking is well behind you.

Your Soul – Feed Your Spirit: Remember the reason for the season. Schedule a half hour (or more) of time for yourself every single day as you go through this holiday season. Recharge your batteries and feed your soul in ways that work for you. Take time for a cup of tea, a movie, a good book, meditation, etc. The key here is to do this for you without guilt. Remember, take care of your needs first, and everything works better.

Your Mind – Quit Smoking Support: Don’t forget to check in for help when you’re feeling weak or tired. You’re not alone.  Thousands of others are going through their first smoke-free holiday season or tying to quit too. Here are a few FREE quit smoking resources:

916.660.5825

www.SacTRAIL.com

1.800.No-Butts

1.800.662.8887

www.nobutts.org

916.364.0273

1-800-LUNG-USA

www.ffsonline.org

Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!

The SOL Project is working towards smoke-free regional transit and smoke-free outdoor dining in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. The SOL Project is a project of the Public Health Foundation Enterprises and it is funded through Proposition 99, the tobacco tax initiative. For more information or to volunteer with the SOL project campaigns, please call 1-888-774-7685 or email tl_solproject@yahoo.com.  Get involved and visit www.thsolproject.com