Five Easy Tips to Help You Stay Healthy Through the Holidays

The second pandemic holiday season is upon us. Thankfully, we can get back to most of our old traditions this year.

But as things get back to normal, it seems more and more people are suddenly facing allergies, common cold, flu, and other illnesses. The last thing any of us want is to miss out on holiday festivities again, so here are a few tips for staying healthy this season:

  1. Get some sleep

The holidays are busy, and work likely even busier, but don’t get lax about your sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep is vital to maintaining a strong immune system. If you’re struggling to wind down at night, check out these five simple steps to better sleep.

  1. Keep washing your hands 

You’ve heard it a million times before, and you’ll hear it another million times after today, but keep washing your hands thoroughly. It’s easy to let our guard down as things return to normalcy, but washing our hands is still a crucial step to fending off sickness.

  1. Hydrate

We tend to drink less water in cold fall and winter months but staying hydrated is important to maintaining health. Ensuring you get enough water each day helps prevent infections, support organ function, and transport vital nutrients to your cells. Staying hydrated can also help you sleep better. If drinking enough water is a struggle, try eating foods with high water content, such as oranges, cucumbers, and plain yogurt.

  1. Eat immune-boosting antioxidants

Vitamin and nutrient-packed superfoods are one of the easiest ways to support our immune system. However, it can be difficult to squeeze in a kale salad amidst the holiday goodies. Even something as small as “an apple a day,” as they say, can make a big difference. Try something from our list of allergy-fighting foods to defend against unpleasant symptoms.

  1. Rest, rest, rest

This is what the holidays are supposed to be all about, right? If you’re running on empty, schedule down time for yourself to recuperate. It’s okay to say no a couple of the party invites if it means taking necessary rest time. Check out our previous post on rethinking rest to fight burnout for a few restful tips!