Monthly Health Articles Archive

Staying healthy through the holidays

This year staying healthy through the holiday season may be a greater challenge than usual.   With both the seasonal flu and H1N1 lurking about, this Christmas could end up being a time of great germ sharing, as well as a time of great joy.  Try these simple strategies for staying healthy through this busy and hectic holiday season.

Protect yourself by practicing basic healthy habits.  Even if you’ve received your seasonal flu or your H1N1 vaccine, you can still pick up germs.  Wash your hands frequently and be sure to use warm water and soap.  Hand sanitizer is another great option – keep a travel size bottle in your purse or car for convenience.  If you have a cough or cold, sneeze and cough into your elbow if a tissue isn’t handy.

Don’t forget to take time to rest and recharge.  Staff parties, family gatherings, late night present-wrapping sessions…there are all kinds of ways to stay up late during the month of December.  Even losing one or two hours of sleep each night can wear down your immune system and increase your stress levels, making you more susceptible to germs.  Getting a good night’s sleep is especially important for children.  It’s tempting to allow kids to stay up later than usual when they are on break from school, but maintaining a regular routine and sleep schedule will help them stay healthy and ready for holiday fun.  In addition to sleep, a little downtime between family celebrations helps people to unwind and relax.  Don’t forget about your mental health, as well as your physical health.

Keep your distance from those who appear to be sick.  If you’re out shopping or attending a family gathering, stay three to six feet away from people who appear to be ill.  Cold and flu germs are spread through water droplets from your mouth and nose, and the germs can live on many surfaces for up to 48 hours.  If you are the one who’s sick, do everyone a favor and stay home.  This is also cold and cough season, so learn about the differences in your symptoms.  Going out with a slight cold is fine, but if you’re experiencing a sore throat, coughing, or have a fever or body aches staying home is the best choice.

It’s okay to splurge a bit during the holidays, but don’t go overboard.  Try enjoying all your favorite things in moderation, whether it’s desserts, special drinks or big family meals.  Bring healthy appetizers or desserts to parties and eat regular meals at home to avoid overeating at gatherings. 

Make water your beverage of choice when you’re thirsty and try to limit other beverages to one or two drinks.  If you do feel like you over did it, get out and exercise.  Take a family walk or play in the snow together.  Getting outside or finding a warm place indoors to play or workout and burn some calories is a great activity for people of all ages and a lot of fun.

Good health is a gift and can’t be taken for granted during the hectic holiday season.  Do your best to find ways to make this Christmas season a happy and healthy one.

-Rachel Venteicher, D.O. is a family physician at Kossuth Regional Health Center