Christmas often brings comfort and relaxation. Days spent watching movies, endless meals, and a steady supply of cookies are part of the charm.
Experts warn that the body notices inactivity much sooner than most people think.
Just three days without physical activity can already affect your health.
Blood sugar levels become unstable, which can leave you feeling tired and irritable, while your body slows down its ability to burn fat.
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After about a week of complete rest, your body starts storing extra fat around vital organs.
This type of fat is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, making even a short period of inactivity something to take seriously.
Fitness levels drop faster than you expect
If you skip movement for one or two weeks, both your stamina and heart function will start to decline.
Within a single week, your heart pumps less blood through your body, and your fitness level decreases noticeably.
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Yet the problem often goes unnoticed during the holidays, because many people feel that their weight remains stable right after Christmas.
The real change often appears weeks later. That’s when the body rebuilds lost muscle mass, which can make the scale rise even if fat levels are beginning to drop again.
How to stay active without skipping the treats
The good news is that you do not need to give up the holiday goodies to stay healthy.
Keeping your body moving is what matters most.
A brisk walk, dancing to Christmas songs, or a quick workout session each day makes a big difference.
Also read: How holiday inactivity can affect your body
Playing outside with the children, walking to see the Christmas lights, or starting a fun family tradition such as a snowball fight or a scavenger hunt are simple ways to stay active.
Even short breaks to stretch between movies help keep your body in motion.
By keeping your pulse up daily, you support your heart, burn more calories, and help your body store new fat under the skin instead of around your organs.
When the last holiday treat is gone, you will find it much easier to get back into your usual rhythm.
Also read: New research links daily nut consumption to lower dementia risk
This article is based on information from iForm.dk.
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