Staying Healthy During the Holidays: 11 Simple Tips

December is a busy, yet exciting month. With all the excitement, it’s important to know these tips for staying healthy during the holidays.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is certainly exciting.

As fun as it is, though, it also means exposure to large crowds, less-than-sanitary shopping malls, and people or places we simply don’t frequent on a regular basis throughout the year.

Busy schedules and added stress take a toll on our immune systems and before we know it, we’re sick.

Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. We have some tips to help you with staying healthy during the holidays (no matter how hectic your shopping gets).

The Importance of Staying Healthy During the Holidays

November and December are times of laughter and love, but they add extra stress not typically seen year round. Not to mention, more and more people are traveling during this time.

One study claims that it’s more than 100% more likely to get sick on a plane than in everyday life.

On top of that, added stress and colder months makes your immune system weaker, making you more susceptible to illnesses.

Staying healthy during the holidays is essential in enjoying this time of year.

1. Watch Your Food Consumption

Let’s face it: there’s food everywhere during the holiday season.

It’s rich, heavy in fat, sweet, and can leave you feeling seriously gross if you overeat.

Make sure you are focusing on moderation as you make your food choices.

Take small portions of the items you really love and limit the amount of gravy, sauce, or butter you are using.

You don’t have to eat everything served at every party or special event.

Moderation will help you avoid complications like gastrointestinal issues and acid reflux.

2. Never Skip Meals

Skipping meals to “save” calories does nothing but make you hungry (or even “hangry”).

Staying healthy during the holidays starts with eating mindfully throughout the day.

You will feel more energized and alert and will have an easier time when it comes to controlling your portions at your special event.

It’s best to aim for around six small meals unless you have specific diet needs (such as Diabetes).

3. Have Fun Instead of Food

What food-based traditions does your family have?

Could you limit your cookie baking to a batch or two and make homemade holiday ornaments for family and friends instead?

Is there a tree lighting ceremony you could try instead of a candy-making session?

You don’t need to skip the food altogether, but try to minimize it by expanding your holiday traditions in other ways. Look for ways to have holiday-based experiences instead of adding more sweet treats to the cupboard.

4. Moderate Your Alcohol Intake

Alcohol is another biggie during the holiday season.

Even those who rarely indulge find themselves enjoying special holiday blends loaded with extra calories.

Drinking too much can have serious health complications, especially if you binge drink at a party.

Maintain the general two glass per day limit for women and three glass per day limit for men. You’ll avoid hangovers and weight gain from the extra calories.

5. Food Poisoning Woes

Looking at a dish that just doesn’t taste quite right to you? Don’t eat it.

Does your mom stuff the turkey the night before instead of the day of? It might be a good idea to pass when the dish comes around.

Showing up late to a party with a lukewarm buffet? Stick to some of the cold dishes or snacks that don’t need refrigeration.

All of these issues can lead to food poisoning from salmonella and other germs.

Proper food handling is critical this time of year.

Wash your hands and your cooking surfaces before handling food, make sure your cooked foods don’t come into contact with raw, and avoid cooking for others if you aren’t feeling well.

No one wants food poisoning during the holiday season.

6. Mingle with People

Do holiday gatherings make you feel awkward and antisocial?

Would you rather hang out by the food buffet and hide with the kids? Don’t.

Embrace the opportunity to catch up with family and friends — and maybe to even make some new friends.

The more occupied you are with conversation, the less you’ll snack and eat.

7. Cook Healthy Meals in Advance

One of the reasons we lose track during the holiday season is because we’re so busy.

We end up grabbing fast food on-the-go between meetings and events.

Try using the crockpot or cooking in large batches so you can freeze healthy meals for the future. All you’ll need to do is pull one out and heat it up for a fast, healthy meal.

8. Stay Hydrated

The more dehydrated you are, the more difficult it is for your body to fend of bugs.

Staying healthy during the holidays includes drinking as much water as you can throughout the day.

Those who are flying during holiday travel should aim to drink at least 8 ounces for every hour they are in the air to combat the low humidity levels found in airplanes.

Ultimately, if you’re feeling thirsty, it means you’ve already been dehydrated for quite a while.

9. Find Ways to Relax

The more stressed and tired you are, the weaker your immune system becomes.

Remember, you don’t have to accept every single invitation that comes your way and run yourself ragged.

You also don’t have to blow your budget for the year on holiday gifts. Relax and set your own expectations for the holiday.

Make sure you are leaving time for yourself to rest, recharge, and simply enjoy the season. Don’t forget to get plenty of sleep each night, too.

10. Keep Your Hands Clean

Washing your hands regularly is one of the best things you can do to avoid picking up viruses and bacterial infections during the holidays.

Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you for when you can’t get to soap and water.

Everything you touch is a potential breeding ground, from your workplace to the stores in the mall.

Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose with dirty hands, too. The mucous membranes around your face are common entry points for the bugs that make you sick.

11. Don’t Forget to Exercise

Don’t let the holiday season derail your exercise routine.

You’ll be better able to fight off illness and stress if you’re giving yourself at least 30 minutes of movement per day.

Break it into segments throughout the day if you start to have trouble fitting it in — just don’t stop moving altogether.

You may want to consider wearing a pedometer or finding one to use with your smartphone.

Research has shown that using a pedometer really does inspire people to get more steps in. Walk more to keep those holiday pounds off.

Conclusion

The holiday season can certainly be a ton of fun, but not if you push yourself so hard you end up sick in bed.

Do what you need to do to take care of yourself, whether that means limiting time spent with others or not. Staying healthy during the holidays includes listening to your own body.

Set your own personal boundaries and take a break from the holiday fun when you need to. Your body will thank you!