There’s nothing worse during this busy season than feeling sick. Catching a cold can definitely put a damper on your holiday plans, but your overall health has many facets. Whether it’s staying on top of your holiday eating and drinking, adding an hour or two of sleep to your schedule, or putting in a little extra effort for your mental and physical health, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy (and merry!) during the season of joy. Enjoy our list of 10 ways to stay healthy during the holidays!

1. Beating Germs

With all the shopping, traveling, and meeting with families, the holidays can be a time where catching colds is almost inevitable. Besides getting a flu shot and getting plenty of vitamin C, it can be tricky to avoid sickness that interferes with your holiday season. Here are a few tips to keep yourself healthy and germ-free!

• If you’re traveling by plane, remember that airplane seatback trays are the dirtiest place on the airplane. A recent study shows that these trays can have 2,155 CFU per square [1] (that’s a lot of germs!). To avoid this, wipe down your trays with some disinfecting wipes before use!
• Shopping is another activity that makes it nearly impossible to avoid sickness. Another recent study found that the most harmful bacteria count on shopping carts. [2] Again, something as simple as wiping down the cart’s handle before using it can save you from a holiday illness.
• This one is big – washing your hands! According to the CDC, keeping your hands clean is one of the most significant defenses against spreading germs that we can do! [3] It’s both effortless and very effective.

2. Take Time For Yourself

The holidays are a time of giving, but it can be challenging to remember to take care of yourself. Loving others starts with loving yourself. If you’re beginning to feel a bit stressed about the busyness of the season, remind yourself to take a break! Whether you take a few moments to yourself to enjoy a hot bath, bump the stereo with your favorite Christmas tracks, or schedule a massage for the day after Black Friday, taking care of yourself can be one of the best ways to be present for other people.

3. Get Plenty of Sleep

In between planning trips to see the family, crossing off your gifting to-do list, and scheduling yet another holiday party, sleep can be hard to come by. It would not be surprising for many to learn that 35.3% of adults report less than 7 hours of sleep a night, even though a typical adult needs somewhere between 7-9 hours of sleep every night. [4] To avoid being a part of this statistic, plan to get into bed an hour or two earlier to get that much-needed sleep.

4. Be Wary of Holiday Eating

Though the holidays give us plenty of opportunities to indulge, it’s important to remember to keep variety in your diet. Avoid overindulging in sugar and carbs, and keep your diet full of plenty of fruits and veggies. When you do indulge, watch your portion sizes. Fill up the rest of your plate with nutritious, filling foods, and keep the heavy holiday treats to a reasonably sized portion.

5. Stay Hydrated

Though it’s tempting to indulge in those high-calorie peppermint-infused drinks or the occasional adult beverage, remember that plenty of H2O is necessary for your cell functions. Not only can drinking water hydrate your mucous membranes to help you battle colds, but it can also make you feel fuller longer and help with weight loss (win, win, win!).

6. Stay Active

It’s hard to stay active during the holiday season. Keep your goals realistic. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your schedule, split your workout session in half. Do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 more in the evening. If nothing else, take 10 minutes a day to do yoga stretches to keep your muscles and joints healthy. You can also use your exercise routine as an excuse to get a few needed minutes to yourself. You could even consider getting an accountability partner and spend time with friends while burning calories!

7. Watch Out For Food Poisoning!

Preparing and sharing holiday food is one of the most exciting parts of the holidays. Over the years, researchers have identified more than 250 food-borne diseases. [5] With the fast-paced prep of holiday food, this risk can increase. To keep your risks of food contamination as low as possible, make sure to practice food safety. You can do this by frequently washing hands and surfaces, storing food correctly, watching for cross-contamination, and making sure all meats are being cooked to proper temperatures.

8. Safe Driving in the Snow

Snow on the roads in the winter season can make holiday driving a hazard. Drive slowly and cautiously in the snow. Make sure to always wear seat belts and to keep younger children safely buckled into a booster or car seat. Be smart and stay home if the weather is too bad.

9. Drink Responsibly and be Merry

Holiday drinking can be tempting, but also can increase the hazard of dangerous driving. Make sure you have a designated driver or arrangements for transportation to pick you up. Lyft or Uber are two great options. Don’t drink and drive, and intervene if someone intoxicated attempts to get behind the wheel.

10. Keep Your Mental Health Up

Lastly, mental health should always stay a priority. If you find yourself struggling through this holiday season, don’t be afraid to reach out to get help. The holiday season can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, grief related to loss, or family issues for many. All of these things are mental health-related and should be addressed as such. To stay on top of your mental health, set aside some time to relax or meditate. Go to your doctor to address serious mental health concerns. Schedule therapy appointments to counsel you through possible bumps in the road.

We hope these tips are helpful to you and your family. Safe Harbor International Ministries is wishing everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Written by Brooke Smoke, a blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries

Related articles: Is Counseling Right For Me?, https://safeharborim.com/dealing-with-deployment-during-the-holidays/, https://safeharborim.com/is-family-counseling-right-for-my-family/

References:

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwhitmore/2019/03/20/how-dirty-are-airplanes/ – 2fe5b1822ebb
2. https://www.insider.com/dangerous-supermarket-germs-study-2017-11
3. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
4. https://www.sleepassociation.org/about-sleep/sleep-statistics/
5. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html

Safe Harbor blog posts mentioned:

1. https://safeharborim.com/fun-outdoor-activities-for-families/
2. https://safeharborim.com/3-benefits-of-prioritizing-nutrition-for-trauma-survivors/
3. https://safeharborim.com/when-to-get-counseling/