‘Tis the Season to be Healthy

5 tips to keep you healthy during the holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! During the holiday season, we cherish time with our family and friends, eat lots of yummy food, and get some time to unwind and relax. It is certainly merry and bright, but sometimes it isn’t quite so jolly for our waistline or our health in general. ExperCARE has compiled a few reminders to help keep you healthy and safe over the holidays!

• Eat mindfully

We all want to dig into Mom’s homemade mashed potatoes and Grandma’s famous apple pie! And we certainly should. But the holidays are all about moderation and balance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests limiting your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Try to substitute that not so healthy food for a fruit or veggie. Also don’t forget to give your tummy time to digest before going back for seconds!

• Wash your hands 

Germs, germs, and more germs! We are traveling, snuggling  up together, and out of our regular routine all during flu season. Be sure to keep your hands clean to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. This is your friendly reminder to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if not, use your elbow but not your hands). This helps keep yourself and those around you healthy.

• Get your flu shot

Unfortunately, flu season is in full swing this time of year… But don’t let the bug dampen your holiday cheer. Plan to get your flu shot before the Christmas chaos begins. No one wants to spend their Christmas at ExperCARE or on the couch with a fever. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. The CDC suggests everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. ExperCARE has the flu vaccine at both locations.

• Stay active by changing up your holiday workout

‘Tis the season to pack our social calendars with Christmas activities and parties, eating and drinking festive foods, shopping until we drop, and spending time with family and friends. If you notice the schedule isn’t necessarily centered around daily exercise. But in order to stay motivated, you should set goals for yourself and be sure to add a few workouts onto your holiday checklist. The best idea is to reinvent what you would usually do. Plan to split you activity into smaller, more manageable workouts. Don’t stress over making it to the gym for an hour everyday. Instead, have your family go out for a 30 minute walk, use a workout app on your phone for 15 minutes, or play outdoor games with your family. 

• Relax, manage stress 

As much as the holidays are about fitting everything into your schedule, they are also about taking time for yourself. Don’t let the holiday rush stress you out or take a toll on your mental or physical health. Do at least one thing everyday that makes YOU happy, whether it’s meditation, reading a good book, or watching a Christmas movie. 

Last but not least, ENJOY the most wonderful time of the year! ExperCARE wishes you and yours a cheerful, restful, and healthy holiday season!