With the holiday season invariably comes the holiday sickness. We are around lots of people and end up getting the colds, flu, or sinus infections that go with the season. This, however, doesn't always have to be the case. If you follow a few simple tips, you can greatly limit your chances of getting sick this holiday season.
Tip #1: Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies
Over the holiday season, we tend to overload on carbs and not eat enough of the things that keep us healthy: the fruits and vegetables. Not only are fruits and vegetables loaded with vitamins and nutrients that are essential to everyday health they are also high in stress and germ fighting anti-oxidants. These are chemicals that help to rid the body of disease and age causing free radicals. If you limit the amount of free radicals in the body, you will also limit the possibility of disease.
(Fruits and Vegetables to eat: dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, mushrooms, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, and bell peppers)
Tip #2: Get Plenty of Exercise
According to the US government department's website for the National Institute of Health, exercise has a direct link to boosting your immune system. One of the theories behind this is the link between exercise and lowering cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that is released from the Adrenal Glands and is in direct connection with levels of stress in the body. As stress levels rise, so do cortisol levels. Studies have found that exercise lowers levels of cortisol in the system and therefore decreases stress, giving you less chances of getting sick. One thing to watch out for is overdoing the exercise while sick. During infections, one of the best defences your body has is to raise the core temperature and give you a low grade fever. This speeds up the body's metabolism and creates an environment where white blood cells (the bodies defenders) can work at a faster rate. Exercise, also raises body temperature. If you already have a fever and increase the body's temperature even more, you run the risk of passing out or doing other bodily harm. Exercises while sick should be limited to mild intensity and be performed no more than 15-30 min in session. If you are not sick, exercise should be done on a daily basis as an overall disease preventative process.
Tip #3: Reduce Your Stress
Just like exercise helps to reduce stress, we also need to do other things to reduce stress. We all know the holidays can be very stressful. We need to remember that the holiday's are meant to be a time to be together as friends and family. Sometimes we get caught up in the stresses of the holiday season; the mad rushes to buy the best gift, worry about finances, and stress over family problems. All of these will dampen our immunity and ability to fight off disease. Take a few minutes to yourself this holiday season to just relax and soak up the holiday season. Most of us take time off work to have a vacation over the holidays but it never really feels like a vacation. So, let's make it one. Take a few days to catch up on some sleep. Go to the park and go for a stroll. If the weather is too cold around you, go for a drive and look at holiday decorations. Give yourself some time to unwind and your body will thank you for it.
Tip #4: Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Yes, you are on vacation. We just talked about that, but, that doesn't mean you should overdue it on the alcohol. I know a lot of us have a drink to "unwind." Yes, there is proven benefit to having a glass of red wine. The key to that sentence, however, is to have A GLASS. Moderation is the word for this holiday season. You want to have a few drinks? Do so in moderation. You want to eat some Christmas cookies? Do so in moderation. You want to pig out at your family's house? Do so in moderation. It doesn't matter what holiday you are celebrating, you need to keep your vices in moderation. A moderate amount of alcohol can have some health benefits, a large amount will do more harm than good, so keep it moderate.
Tip #5: Don't Be Afraid to Reward Yourself
If you are sticking to a plan and trying hard to keep yourself healthy through this holiday season, the best way to keep yourself on the right path is to give yourself little rewards. You are working hard at your health. When you work hard at anything else in life, you get a reward, so why not here? Take the time to enjoy the little things that make all the other hard work worth it.
These are only a few of the many tips out there on how to stay healthy over the holiday season. I invite you to use the comments section to share with others some of the tips you use to stay healthy over the holiday season. Please, enjoy the holiday!
