Between holiday shopping, work parties, and family gatherings, you likely spend a lot of time around other people during the holiday season. Spending time with family and friends is one of the things that makes the holidays so great. However, being around more people can lead to the spread of colds, flu, and other illnesses. That’s why Phipps Pharmacy is providing you with these health tips to stay healthy during the holidays so you can enjoy the holiday season without dealing with illness.
1. Wash Your Hands Frequently
When you’re around a lot of people in different places, your chances of coming across illness-causing germs increases. That’s why one of the best ways to stay healthy during the holidays is washing your hands often. Wash your hands after you come into contact with other people and after you touch hard surfaces that have been touched by others. Scrub every surface of your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Try to also avoid touching your face to prevent the spread of germs from your hands to your mouth, nose, and eyes.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
The key to how to stay healthy during the holidays is staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Your immune system needs water to function properly and to keep you from getting sick. It can be tempting to indulge in festive alcoholic drinks at holiday parties, but alcohol can be very dehydrating. Try opting for water instead so you can stay healthy this holiday season.
3. Manage Stress
The holidays can be a stressful time for a lot of people. Between finding gifts for everyone, dealing with difficult family members, and squeezing various holiday get-togethers into your schedule, the holiday season can add a lot of stress to your life. Stress can have a negative effect on your health and can even weaken your immune system, making it easier to get sick. So, if you want to stay healthy during the holidays, it’s important to find ways to manage your stress.
4. Stay Active
Staying active is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. During the holidays, it can be easy to neglect exercise and physical activity. The cold weather makes you less likely to go outside for a walk or run, and you’re busy decorating and attending parties. However, daily physical activity is crucial for good health, even during the holidays. Try going for a walk around the neighborhood while singing carols, or do indoor exercises like yoga or Pilates.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital if you want to stay healthy during the holidays. A lack of sleep can lead to low energy, increased stress, and unhealthy decision-making. Your immune system also works the most at night while you sleep. Don’t let yourself get so busy during the holidays that you can’t get enough sleep at night. It’s best to try to stick to a regular bedtime schedule each night for maximum sleep.
6. Dress Warmly
If it’s cold outside, you need to dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Wear headwear that covers your ears as well as well-insulated socks and boots to keep your feet warm. Instead of wearing one large jacket, opt for several layers of warm clothing. Layers will better protect you against wind chill, rain, and snow. If your clothes get wet, change them as soon as possible so you won’t stay cold.
7. Eat Well
If your goal is to stay healthy during the holidays, then you need to remember to eat your fruits and vegetables. It can be easy to get caught up in all the festive foods, drinks, and sweets that are common this season. If you know that healthy dishes are rare at certain gatherings, bring a fruit or vegetable tray or salad to share. Your body needs the natural nutrients found in fruits and vegetables to stay healthy. Make sure you watch your portion sizes, too, so you can avoid overeating during the holidays.
More Health Tips From the Experts at Phipps Pharmacy
These health tips can help you stay healthy during the holidays so you can focus on enjoying time with loved ones. If you have any health questions or would like to learn more about ways to keep your body healthy, please reach out to us at Phipps Pharmacy. Our expert pharmacy team will be happy to answer your questions and provide recommendations so you can enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season!
