Health Tips for the Holiday Season

All people, whether they are health conscious or not, should take precautions during the holidays to remain both emotionally and physically healthy. Many people find the holidays overwhelming, especially with the guilt of enjoying decadent holiday dishes and the effort of trying to manage large family gatherings. Following some helpful, healthy holiday advice and tips can make the difference for many people in surviving the holiday season.

1. Get plenty of rest during the holidays. People can find themselves a little overwhelmed during any holiday season with decorating, attending family gatherings and many other holiday activities. However, getting as much rest as possible can make every seasonal activity easier to manage as well as significantly less stressful. Most people should try to get at least seven hours of sleep at night to function adequately both mentally and physically.

2. Remember to stay well nourished and hydrated with plenty of fluids through the entire holiday season. Many people tend to save up their appetites for big lavish holiday meals, but doing this can make people overindulge in many of their favorite holiday dishes. While many people tend to believe overeating on holidays is perfectly acceptable, the truth is simple dieting tips such as eating small portions throughout the day can prevent you from overeating the high-calorie, seasonal meals. Eating appetizers, such as raw vegetables and low-cal dips, can significantly reduce your calorie intake and your appetite for high-calorie desserts. Other tips include using smaller plates and allowing for breaks between the holiday courses.

3. Frequently washing your hands is another health tip that can help anyone stay well.This is especially true during the holiday season. During the holidays, people tend to be involved in more social gatherings as well as shopping excursions, and both of these activities can expose a person to a whole array of germs.

4. Exercising during the holiday season can seem almost impossible. However, walking is a great way not only to work off those large holiday meals, but also to help keep holiday pressures at bay.

5. Another great holiday health tip to reduce many holiday emotional pressures is to allow other people, such as friends and family, to help you with large holiday gatherings. Many people get overwhelmed during the holidays, especially when hosting big holiday get-togethers, but simply by delegating many of the preparations, anyone can significantly reduce the pressures of many of the holiday functions.

6. Remember to take your medications as prescribed, and if you're a diabetic, to monitor your blood glucose levels often.

7. Limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the holidays. Many alcoholic drinks can be very high in calories and can severely increase holiday emotions and pressures.

8. Stay warm and dress appropriately if you're going to be out in the cold weather during the winter holidays.

9. Stay safe during the holidays,and monitor children at all times, because many toys given during the holidays may not be age appropriate. Don't allow anyone to drive after drinking. Stay alert when handling anything flammable, such as fireplaces, candles, space heaters, etc.

10. The final health tip for any holiday season is to allow for personal down-time. Private relaxation, such as soaking in a hot tub, can relieve tired holiday muscles and lower many of the seasonal pressures that come with the holidays.

Sources:
www.esquire.com/features/ask-dr-oz/holiday-health-tips-1209
www.meredy.com/nursetips/holidayhealthtips.html
www.umm.edu/news/releases/health_tips_holidays.htm