I noticed an interesting trend in reviewing data on the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index website. Healthy behaviors begin to decrease in September and continue to decrease through December with an upward trend beginning in January. The trend was seen in 2008 and 2009 data. It will be interesting to see if the trend holds true in 2010. It seems that holidays trigger unhealthy behaviors - over eating, eating foods high in fat and sugar, decreased exercise - followed by New Year resolutions that start a period of healthier behavior.
The data made me think about ways to have healthier holidays. With Halloween coming up this weekend and Thanksgiving later in November, the challenge is to have celebrations that support a healthy lifestyle. Cutting out some of the sugar in the Halloween treats [and the volume of treats] is certainly a place to start.
Using less fat and sugar in preparing Thanksgiving dinner and following dinner with a family walk around the neighborhood would be a good tradition to start in 2010. Small changes can have big results. Would love to hear your suggestions for healthier holidays!