Healthy Habits for the Holidays

How’s that workout routine going during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Or that meditation practice you promised to do? Chances are, with all the season’s eatings, parties, and general busy-ness, it hasn’t been the best. We reached out to Equinox’s leading ladies and Sweat Sessions instructors, Bryna Carracino and Liz Wexler to give us their top 3 tips for wellness during the holidays to make sure you stay on top of your A game and hold yourself accountable.

Bryna’s top 3 wellness tips for the holidays.

#1 Internal dialogue:

If you’re the type of person who consistently connects to a positive internal dialogue but are finding it more challenging to tap into that during the holidays, get the body moving! Get up! Go for a walk, a run, book a class with myself or Liz at Equinox High Line! Book extra training sessions with your coach and just get moving! Exercise helps release serotonin, which in turn will help the brain release dopamine, a feel good chemical that will would help you feel the happiest. Beat that disconnect in a cleanse. Help yourself reconnect to that positivity that comes from within.

#2 More conscious eating: 

Food choices, especially during the Holidays, can be a challenge. Holiday parties, family meals, traveling, the list goes on. While all super yummy, not the best for the mind or body. Wherever you are, look for the most colorful foods first. Those options are usually going to be vegetable, fruit, and whole grain based. These options will help you feel satiated a lot quicker and help you curb the unhealthier food choices.

#3 The habits we create: 

No matter where you end up for the holidays, make it a point to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Yes, you can get an effective work out in in that short amount of time! If you choose the right programming and stay balanced throughout the programming, you can burn a large amount of calories and increase your post work out burn, while feeling strong and accomplished post sweat. Believe me, when I Flow with my homies in my own creation REHAB, I get my breath work in, my strength (TABATA and HIIT) sets and my restorative (yoga + animal flow) all while jamming to a beat! Equinox High Line also offers some great 30 minute classes like Firestarter and Best Butt Ever. All listed under EQX class schedule.

Remember! It’s about the habits we create. They shape the long term structure of our life.

Bryna Carracino is certified NASM fitness coach based in NYC. She specializes in core strengthening through more mindful flow, diaphragmatic breath work and an overall healthy lifestyle. She is creator of REHAB NYC, a 35 minute strength/restorative flow that is offered at Soho House/Ludlow House and Lululemon. She also teaches athletic conditioning classes at numerous Equinox gyms around the city. You can find her in the ‘hood every Wednesday 5:30pm at Equinox High Line teaching her own formatted class, TRX MAX.  To be added to the guest list please email Liz Wexler (group fitness manager) at Liz.wexler@equinox.com

Liz’s top 3 wellness tips for the holidays.

#1 Restore:

Cultivate time to restore your body during the hustle and bustle of the holidays with my favorite post-shopping restorative yoga pose: legs at the wall. Sit on the floor and shimmy your hips close by the wall and slide them up the wall to create the letter L. This inversion is great for tired feet ‘n legs, calms the nervous system, and stretches the lower back and hamstrings gently.

#2 Meditate:

Calm the mind with sama vritti pranayama, equal part breathing. Inhale thru the nose for three counts and exhale through the nose for three counts. For added relaxation, add a three word mantra such as “Be here now” or ” I am joy” instead of counting to three.

#3 Buddy up:

Snag a friend, co-worker, or family member and create a fun challenge with 3-5 wellness goals. Hold each other accountable and make it fun with self-care prizes. Keep it simple, creative, and realistic so that you set yourself up for success!

Liz Wexler is the Group Fitness Manager at Equinox High Line and a proud Lululemon Ambassador for the Meatpacking District. You can find her teaching Yoga and Cycle in the ‘hood. Snag an Equinox High Line class with her or Bryna as a guest by emailing: Liz.Wexler@equinox.com. Instagram handle: @sassletic.