Holiday Health

By Joan Hadac

The holidays are about celebrating and spending time with loved ones. They can also be a period of overindulgence and distractions during which health — both mental and physical – can fall by the wayside. Here are seven tips for being health conscious while still having fun this holiday season.

Hydrate

Adequate water intake applies year round, but with all the extra food and alcohol around during the holidays, it is very easy for hydration to become an afterthought. Drinking water with meals aids digestion and nutrient absorption, and a glass between alcoholic beverages consumed can help reduce the likelihood and severity of hangovers. Water is also filling, so staying hydrated can help curb overeating.

Exercise

With cold weather and the general stress the holiday season can bring, exercise routines often move to the back burner. Incorporating physical activity into everyday activities such as work and watching TV is one way to add exercise to your day.

Portion Sizes

With all of the delicious foods around during the holidays the temptation to overindulge can be great. An easy way to stay healthy during the holidays is to simply cut back the portion sizes of your meals.

Find Common Ground

Talk with your loved ones about what you have in common, rather than what divides you, to avoid arguments.

Sleep

The stress of the holiday season is made worse by not sleeping well. Adults need roughly seven hours of sleep a night for proper restoration of body and mind, and the sooner to bed the better.

Keep it Clean

With numerous people sometimes in the house for gatherings, it can be easy for germs to spread. Washing hands is one of the best ways to combat the spread of common holiday bugs.

Pandemic Guidelines

With the delta variant becoming the most prevalent strain of COVID-19 in the U.S., the guidelines about social distancing and wearing masks are changing. To make sure your holiday party is not a super spreader event, check with the CDC or your local or state health department to know the current guidelines for indoor gatherings.