Tips for surviving the silly season

Quick steps to better health over the "silly season":

• Eat a healthy breakfast. It's a great way to start the day, plus research shows that people who eat a healthy breakfast are more likely to eat better for the rest of the day.

• Drink plenty of water. The benefits of water are endless - from making sure you're not thirsty when you feel hungry, to balancing out alcohol or soft drink beverages - plenty of water during the 'silly season' is such a quick, easy action you can do for better health.

• Set aside one hour each week to plan your meals for the week ahead. If you get time to cook some healthy, freeze-ahead meals that's a bonus too! Having these options to turn to when you don't feel like cooking can be the difference between a healthy meal and a take-away meal.

• Head to bed earlier when possible. Missing out on sleep leaves you more likely to binge on food and skip exercise.

• Go for a walk. Even if it's only 5 minutes. If you manage 20 mins, it can reduce your risk of heart disease by 30%. It also has great stress-relief benefits which could be handy at this time of year!

• Aim to eat at least one or two pieces of fruit or veg at every meal. Almost half of all deaths from heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke are linked to poor nutrition. Fruits and vegetables help every part of your body from your brain to your bowels!

• Choose steamed vegetables or salad instead of fried chips, wedges or mashed potatoes.

• Instead of gravy with your turkey, try cranberry sauce.

• Choose a smaller plate and watch your portion sizes. Try to resist the temptation to go back for seconds!

• Get moving whenever and wherever possible! Try a game of cricket in the backyard, kick the footy with the kids, go for a walk before or after dinner, jump on your bike or in the pool, you could even give table tennis a go.

We hope you find these tips useful, and you have a wonderful "silly season" with your loved ones!