Without the inconvenience and expense of house maintenance and winter heating bills, Dee and other Sedgebrook community members can devote more time to the things that really matter during the holidays— friends and family.

Since moving to Sedgebrook, Mary Bazell of Vernon Hills finds hosting her annual holiday party easier than ever. Last year, she had 16 guests for dinner and cocktails. Afterwards, she didn’t need to worry about keeping everybody entertained.

Between the swimming pool, the billiards room, the lounge, and the putting green, Mary’s guests of every age found plenty to keep them busy. “There was something for everyone,” says Mary.

For out-of-town visitors, Sedgebrook even has a guest suite available at a nightly rate more affordable than most area hotels.

Don’t Neglect Your Good Health
One in every five Americans worry that holiday stress will affect their physical health, reports the APA. They’re right! According to MayoClinic.com, stress can lead to weight gain or loss, lost sleep, tension, and that general run-down feeling. Sleep and exercise are the best therapy.

Of course, keeping up your regular exercise routine during the winter holidays isn’t always easy. It’s a long drive to the health club; the weather is too cold for your usual walk; there’s just no time; you’re too tired from your holiday preparations. In actuality, forsaking your normal fitness routine will make you even more tired. And the more tired you get, the more likely you are to feel stressed.

With a Fitness Center connected to their homes by glass-enclosed, climate-controlled walkways, Sedgebrook residents joke they no longer have an excuse not to stay in great shape. “If I want to go to the Fitness Center, I don’t have to worry about getting dressed up, getting into the car, worrying about icy roads,” says Bev Rathji of Buffalo Grove. “Instead, I just go through the walkway and go right to the Fitness Center and do whatever I want to do.”

Beyond Leftovers
Like exercise, eating right is crucial during this season of large meals and leftovers. All too often, healthy eating habits fly out the window during the holidays, when there’s just not enough time to prepare a nutritious meal three times a day. Fortunately, Sedgebrook’s Shoreline restaurant and casual Monarch Café serve up a menu of fresh, healthy, and delicious fare each day.

A Healthier Holiday
This year, instead of shrugging off that extra stress most Americans admit to feeling around the holidays, learn to recognize the causes and take steps to reduce them ahead of time.

If you do find yourself a little overwhelmed, don’t just assume the feeling will disappear once the holidays do. By keeping up your healthy routines, you’ll enjoy a more relaxed, more rewarding holiday season.

Holiday Survival Guide