The holiday season is in full swing. Along with the holidays and colder temperatures, stress, sickness, and unhealthy eating tend to increase. Let this holiday season be merrier than ever before by following these 7 tips to decrease stress, prevent illness, and not indulge in too many unhealthy foods.
Tip #1 – Wash Your Hands Often
This year flu and RSV numbers are very high. This and our continued battle with COVID, can cause a lot of stress and worry over becoming ill. One of the best things you can do to prevent illness is by practicing good hand hygiene. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when they are dirty or touching commonly used surface areas.
Tip #2 – Stay Home If You Aren’t Feeling Well
If you come down with a mild case of the sniffles before that holiday party you wanted to attend, please stay home. Even mild congestion could be the first sign of a virus or illness. If you go to that holiday party you will be exposing everyone else. If you aren’t feeling 100% then don’t attend any social gatherings. People will understand if you tell them you were feeling under the weather.
Tip #3 – Maintain Your Healthy Habits
Don’t let your healthy habits slack during this time of year. This is when you are really going to need those good habits such as eating healthy, being active, and getting enough sleep.
Tip #4 – Stay Active
Winter is a tough time to stay active because in most places it is cold and / or gets dark early. Switch up your exercise routine. Instead of walking outside, try walking inside. Try a new workout or sign up for an exercise class.
Tip #5 – Let Someone Else Make the Sweets
This time of year is known for many sweet treats such as cookies, cakes, and pies. Don’t be the person who is baking or bringing sweet treats to a social gathering. If you keep these foods out of your house, you are less likely to overindulge. Enjoy some treats at your gathering but don’t bring any home with you.
Tip #6 – Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
Flu and RSV numbers are reported to be very high this year. Make sure to stay up to date with your flu and COVID vaccinations. This is the best method to prevent those illnesses.
Tip #7 – Take a Break
There are so many activities and gatherings during this time of year but do not pressure yourself to go to every single one of them. You need time to recharge, rest and destress. Don’t stretch yourself too thin trying to participate in every event. This will negatively affect your physical and mental health. Instead, plan at least one thing or time a week that is just for you to decompress and unwind.