Maintaining Healthy Family Habits During the Holiday Season

The holiday season often disrupts daily family routines, introducing challenges such as irregular meal times, increased snacking, extended screen use, and altered sleep patterns. These changes can contribute to stress and negatively impact overall well-being. Health professionals specializing in nutrition and family research suggest that adopting simple, manageable habits can help families preserve balanced eating, physical activity, and sleep behaviors during this busy time. **1. Prioritize Family Meals** Despite hectic schedules, setting aside time for at least one family meal each day can promote healthier eating and strengthen family connections. This meal need not be dinner; breakfast or lunch can also serve as great opportunities for shared meals. Engaging all family members, including children, in meal preparation—from baking holiday treats to cooking dinners—can encourage healthier food choices and reduce picky eating. "Involving children in cooking activities such as stirring, measuring, and shopping increases their interest in trying new foods," said experts from a leading family health research study. For practical recipe ideas and child-friendly cooking tips, several free resources are available from academic family health initiatives. **2. Encourage Physical Activity and Limit Screen Time** Outdoor play is essential for children’s physical and cognitive development. Families are encouraged to organize activities like hiking, skating, sledding, or simple neighborhood walks to enjoy holiday decorations while staying active. Limiting screen time is equally important. Parents who set clear boundaries around device use help reduce potential conflicts and promote healthier habits. Maintaining screen-free meals and designating specific device storage away from dining areas contribute to this goal. Experts emphasize that selective and time-limited screen use, such as watching holiday movies together, can provide cognitive benefits when accompanied by engaging discussions. **3. Maintain Consistent Sleep Routines** Adequate sleep is critical for the health of both children and adults. Most children require between eight to 17 hours of sleep, depending on their age, while adults typically need seven to nine hours. However, research indicates that many children fall short of these recommendations. Keeping a consistent bedtime routine during the holidays helps mitigate the impact of late-night festivities. Activities like reading and screen-free winding down promote better rest. When children are sleeping away from home, providing advance notice before bedtime and offering extra comfort can ease transitions and support restful sleep. The goal is to foster an environment where families can connect, slow down, and enjoy the season with well-being intact. This guidance comes from researchers affiliated with the University of Guelph, who bring expertise in applied nutrition and family health studies. Their recommendations aim to empower families to navigate the holiday period healthfully without sacrificing the joy of the season.

2026 Fire Horse Year Signals a Shift to Bold Action and Intense Energy

As 2026 arrives, the energy it brings contrasts sharply with the preceding year’s quieter, more introspective tone. Feng shui expert Johnson Chua highlights the Year of the Fire Horse as a time when ambition, momentum, and emotional intensity take precedence over the calm creativity of 2025’s Wood Snake year. Chua explains that while 2025 focused on planting seeds and managing transitions, 2026 demands decisive follow-through and action. "This will be a year driven by passion and determination where ideas conceived in the past must evolve and reach completion," he said. The pace is expected to accelerate, with less tolerance for hesitation. Comparing the year’s energy to a racehorse wearing blinders, Chua stresses the importance of staying focused and avoiding distractions. The Fire Horse energy is described as highly charged and lacking soothing water elements, creating an environment prone to conflict and heightened emotions. Chua warns that existing tensions from late 2025 may persist, necessitating discipline and emotional control to prevent burnout or costly mistakes. "Success depends not just on speed, but on clear direction," he remarked. Among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs, Rabbit, Sheep (Goat), Ox, Dragon, and Dog are predicted to experience particularly favorable conditions in 2026. For these signs, opportunities in career, relationships, and personal growth are likely to come more readily, provided they remain focused and avoid unnecessary disputes. Others will still find potential for progress but must prioritize steadiness and calmness. The Fire Horse year amplifies impatience, so Chua recommends maintaining positivity and a goal-oriented mindset. Emotional reactions like anger or pride, he cautions, risk undermining even well-planned efforts. On a national level, Chua advises vigilance regarding natural hazards. The fiery energy of the year may increase the risk of extreme heat, drought, and climate disturbances, calling for preparedness and collective responsibility. In terms of relationships, individuals born under the Horse sign and those under the Sheep, Dog, Tiger, Rooster, and Rabbit signs may enjoy greater harmony and emotional breakthroughs as compatible energies align. Health precautions are urged especially for Pig, Dog, Rat, Horse, Snake, and Rooster signs, with emphasis on managing stress and avoiding exhaustion in the year’s fast-moving environment. Chua concludes by reminding that feng shui serves as guidance, not fate. "The Fire Horse year won’t be an easy ride, but it offers power, momentum, and clarity to those who commit. Success will favor those with clear goals who can channel the year’s fierce energy thoughtfully rather than impulsively," he said.