Wellness Influencer Liz Moody on the Simple, 5-Minute Hack She Swears by for a Healthier Holiday Season
Wellness influencer Liz Moody
It's safe to say Liz Moody knows a thing or two about mental and physical wellness. Moody is a podcast host and author of the bestselling book 100 Ways to Change Your Life, which breaks down 100 distinct habits and tools that can change your life, all backed by expert interviews and science.
With all that in mind, it makes sense that Moody knows a whole lot about how to stay well, even during the more hectic times in life...like the holidays, for example. Here, she opens up to Parade about everything she does to stay healthy, her self-care hack and whether or not she believes in New Year's resolutions.
The 5-Minute Health Hack That Can Change Your Life During the Holidays
Moody says her number one health hack during the holidays—and all year long!—is to take something called a circ walk.
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"A circ walk is short for a circadian rhythm walk, and it’s a quick walk outside as close to when you wake up and the sun comes as possible to set your circadian rhythm," she says. "This tells your internal clock what time it is, and your internal clock regulates much more than just your energy levels and sleep."
Related: This Is the Most Important Habit to Have If You Want to Get 8 Hours of Sleep Tonight
Moody says your circadian rhythm impacts 99% of the cells in your body, so regulating it properly will help with mental health, hormones, gut health and more. "I also love starting my day with a small amount of structure, and a low-lift healthy habit, especially during an especially busy or indulgent time. Doing that one thing sets the tone for the rest of the day and usually results in even more healthy habits!"
Related: Amanda Kloots Shares the #1 Tip She Swears By for Staying Healthy Over the Holidays
The Self-Care Practice Moody Swears by During the Holidays
Moody's number one self-care activity is built into the holidays naturally—spending time with other people."There’s wonderful research from Dr. Robert Waldinger at Harvard. After 80 years of research, the study found that the strongest predictor of health and happiness was having strong relationships," she says. "While many of us might intuitively know that, in the stress of everyday life, it can be easy to let quality time with loved ones fall away in favor of checking more off a to-do list or finishing a final chore."
So instead of worrying about perfect decor or an especially impressive meal, Moody focuses on facilitating as much quality time as possible with friends and family. "It helps me feel amazing in the moment, and I know it’s paying off in the long run as well," she says.
Related: Mandy Moore Already Knows What Her New Year's Resolution for 2024 Is
The Truth About New Year's Resolutions
There's mixed press around New Year's resolutions, especially because research shows that only 9% of people who make New Year's resolutions keep them. But Moody is very pro-New Year's resolutions.
"Surprisingly, there’s actually great science behind New Year’s resolutions! I talk about this in my new book, 100 Ways To Change Your Life, and it’s based on research from Dr. Katy Milkman, the famed Wharton behavioral scientist," she explains. "It’s based on something called the Fresh Start Effect, which shows that moments we view as 'fresh starts' in our lives are moments where we’re more likely to accomplish our goals, because, in essence, we’re no longer the person we were before."
A fresh start can be moving to a new house, a Monday, the first day of a month…and, of course, the most famous fresh start of them all, the new year, Moody says. "I say, make your resolutions and use the knowledge that the science is on your side to feel even more positive about this being the year you reach your desired goals."
