Dr. Boakye’s holiday skincare and wellness tips

The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but sticking to your usual healthy habits can be more challenging while celebrating, traveling and simply being out of your usual routine. Yet it is possible to maintain a sense of balance while enjoying all of the fun and festivities the holidays have to offer. Here, Dr. Boayke’s top tips.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize
Cold weather outside and artificial heat inside create the ideal recipe for dry skin, which can cause skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis to flare up (especially when combined with holiday stress). The best way to keep your skin calm and comfortable is to moisturize from head to toe daily, and applying your favorite cream or lotion right after showering helps lock in extra moisture.

Don’t forget the SPF
Spending more time indoors doesn’t mean you can skip the sunscreen. Sitting by a window or driving in the car can leave your skin vulnerable to UV rays that cause long-term damage even if you don’t experience a sunburn. Make sure to pack SPF if you’re traveling to a warm-weather climate–or hitting the slopes. Remember, despite cold temperatures, UV rays are stronger at higher altitudes and they reflect off the snow. No one wants their vacation ruined by a bad sunburn!

Set time aside for yourself
From shopping and “decking the halls” to hosting guests or get-togethers, the holidays come along with a lot of work. It’s important to reserve some time for yourself, whether hitting your favorite exercise class, treating yourself to a massage or even turning down an invitation for some well-deserved downtime. Blocking out even small windows of time for yourself can help you keep up with the demands of the busy holiday season and enjoy it more.

Eat mindfully
There seems to be temptation around every turn this time of year–and it’s OK to indulge in moderation. But if you can’t stop at just one cookie, it’s probably best to share any sweet treats you receive with co-workers or neighbors. And never, ever go to a holiday party hungry. Before heading out, have a small meal that will keep you feeling satiated for a few hours–and help you avoid overdoing it on the hors d’oeuvres. 

Take care of your body
If you want to ring in 2023 looking and feeling your best, it’s important to maintain your usual healthy habits. Try to stick to your usual sleep schedule, although there’s bound to be a late night here and there. On a related note, keep an eye on your alcohol intake. An easy way to pace yourself (and avoid a hangover) is to drink a glass of water or club soda before reaching for another cocktail. Lastly, keep your body moving. Even if you don’t have time for a 60-minute yoga class, taking a short, brisk walk when you have 20 minutes to spare is better than skipping your workout altogether.