Exercise in the morning, read a book and try this stretch, plus 6 more tips to have a great week

Hello and happy holidays, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin, and I’m rounding up the best health tips on the internet this week.

With both Christmas and Hanukkah around the corner, there’s a good chance you’re convening with loved ones. While the holidays may be filled with laughter and cheer, it’s quite possible you’re also feeling stressed — especially if you’re a parent trying to make the season merry and bright for your kids.

One way to combat the anxiety is to remind yourself that the holidays don’t have to be perfect, or overly scheduled with festive fun. Instead, focus on the larger goals you want to accomplish this season — such as making memories and spending quality time with family and friends. (Sure, the gingerbread house may have collapsed, but you had a good time building it, right?)

Want to see if there’s snow this Christmas (or bad weather that could derail your travel plans)? Check the weather in your area and, if seeking guidance from the stars, your horoscope. Then dive into these wellness tips.

? Work out during this time window to lose weight

Everyone wants to know when is the best time to work out. According to Today, the answer is: It depends. But If you are trying to lose weight, a study from 2023 concluded that exercising in the morning, specifically between 7 and 9 a.m., may be your best bet. Starting the day with a sweat session could also help you keep up a consistent fitness routine. Habit-wise, you may be more likely to stick to a workout plan if you get it out of the way — before a long work meeting or happy hour with friends derails your plans.

???♂? Don’t forget to stretch

If you’re making an effort to get more exercise over the holiday season, you should also prioritize stretching. Doing so helps improve flexibility, reduces muscle soreness and promotes better recovery and overall mobility. Today has 22 stretches you can incorporate into your routine, but an easy, tried-and-true one is the forward fold: Stand with your feet together, exhale as you fold forward and reach your arms toward the floor. You can sneak this move into your daily routine, whether that’s in the middle of cooking or watching a holiday movie on TV.

?? Replace TV time with reading

Too much sedentary time is detrimental to your health — and as recent research has shown, it even raises your risk of dementia. If you are going to be sitting down, however, some activities may be better for your brain than others. According to a new study from the University of South Australia, reading a book — as well as taking part in other mentally stimulating activities like crafting, playing an instrument or talking to friends — may be better for your memory and other cognitive functions, as opposed to more passive activities like watching television or gaming. This is important, the researchers say, because at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.

?? Ease up on the multitasking

Gen X doctors spoke to HuffPost about their best tips for longevity. One surprising piece of advice is to avoid multitasking. While efficiency may be celebrated in our culture, Dr. Jeff Stanley, an internal medicine physician and medical director of Virta Health, tells HuffPost that too much multitasking can put a strain on your brain, as it isn’t designed for constantly switching between tasks — and it can get more challenging as you age. It can also lead to unnecessary stress, which can increase your risk of chronic disease over time. Slowing down and focusing on the task at hand, however, can improve your ability to tackle tough stuff without stressing you out.

?? Consider mouth taping

It may sound like a wild wellness trend, but taping your mouth at night may actually help you get a better night's rest — something that fans of so-called “sleepmaxxing” wholeheartedly approve of. Studies suggest that mouth taping or using a mouth patch may reduce snoring and improve sleep in mouth breathers with mild obstructive sleep apnea, though it’s important to note that this research has been done on small sample sizes. If you are struggling with sleep, though, mouth taping may not be a cure-all. It’s best to talk to your doctor about what might be the root of your inability to get a good night’s rest.

?? Be spontaneous!

Have some time off of work for the holidays? It can be tempting to schedule every last moment, but as experts told Yahoo Life, spontaneity also has health benefits. One way to “plan” for spontaneity? Keep one day on your calendar open each week — and encourage yourself to say yes to last-minute invitations for things you may not otherwise have time for.

?? Try hot yoga

The weather outside is frightful … which may be a great excuse to exercise in a hot room. According to Today, hot yoga has a number of benefits, including stress reduction and improved flexibility. Just remember to stay hydrated before, during and after class (an electrolyte packet in your water bottle can help!) and to listen to your body. Since the heat can make your heart work harder, make sure you’re not pushing yourself beyond your limits. Take breaks if you need to — we promise that no one is judging your child’s pose.

?? Cut down on ultra-processed foods

Want to stay healthy — and avoid colds — this holiday season? Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, told CNN that cutting back on ultra-processed food like cookies, cakes and potato chips can help. Ultra-processed foods are linked to inflammation and immune system dysregulation and also lack the sort of vitamins and minerals that can keep your body in germ-fighting shape. While you don’t need to skip your favorite slice of pie during a holiday meal, make an extra effort to focus on healthier winter fare this year, including whole foods like lean meats, veggies and beans.

?? Test for COVID

The emergency nature of the COVID-19 pandemic may be behind us, but COVID is still circulating — and even in the age of vaccines, catching the virus can be dangerous for the immunocompromised folks you may be seeing around the holidays. Over-the-counter antigen tests still work, Dr. Rebecca Choudhury told Allure, so if you have symptoms like body aches, nasal congestion, sore throat, fever and/or a cough, it’s worth checking to see if COVID is to blame. Whether or not that antigen test is positive, though, remember to give your body plenty of rest when you’re under the weather, wash your hands properly and avoid contact with others to stop the spread of germs.

More wellness tips:

• Try the Navy SEAL nap hack to get some quick shut-eye

• Walk backward — aka “retro walking” — to challenge your body in a new way

• Increase resistance starch in rice by cooling it before you eat it

• Take a magnesium bath to soothe sore muscles

• Snack on strawberries to improve your cholesterol levels