Tis the Season… to get sick
It’s just about that time of year again! The time of year where family and friends get together to celebrate, have fun, and pass along germs. While there are many enjoyable aspects to the holiday season, it does tend to be a time of elevated stress, poor eating, and increased time spent with other people (aka more exposure to germs). The following tips are some ways you can keep your immune system going strong this season, so you don’t spend the holidays feeling like you got run over by Santa’s reindeer.
Stay hydrated
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but water is very important for your health. The human body is made up of 45-65% water (or at least it should be), and all the actions of your body require water. Water cleanses out the waste in your body and it delivers important nutrients to your cells so they can do their jobs properly and fight off sickness. During the holiday season, we tend to choose a lot more drinks containing alcohol than usual, which is a huge problem for hydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes your body to lose extra water. So instead of grabbing that second hot buttered rum, chase your first drink with at least one glass of water before continuing the merriment.
Make time for self-care
Stress is a killer for the immune system and when life gets crazy, the first thing to go is usually self-care. Be intentional about scheduling time to do things that make you feel sane, whether it means taking a hot bath with some candles and music in the evening, going to a coffee shop to read a book for an hour, or scheduling a massage. Take time to lower your stress levels, even if it means you have to say no to one of those DIY Pinterest projects or ugly Christmas sweater parties.
Go to bed
If you’re like me, you have a problem with saying no to all the “one-time-only” seasonal events and opportunities (aka FOMO). While it’s good to enjoy the season and take advantage of opportunities, sacrificing sleep is not the way to go. Sleep is when our body recuperates and does it’s repairs and if you don’t get enough, you not only are making yourself more likely to get ill, but you also won’t be able to enjoy and remember the season because you will be a zombie.
Just say no… to sweets
I know this seems like a cruel joke in the midst of a season where even those who hate baking make sweet treats, but hear me out. For a period of time after eating something with added sugar, your body’s immune system cells are unable to do their job and attack bacteria, leaving you susceptible to sickness. So instead of giving in to every craving and keeping a constant flow of sugar in your body, try to pick and choose a few really fantastic treats and make sure that the rest of the time you are eating a diet high in veggies and fruits.
Turn it off
Take a break from being connected to your phone this season. I know it seems like you might miss something, but I promise it’s not the end of the world. Social media and smart phones can be great because we always have easy access to information, but especially during this time of year, being connected can be a huge source of stress. With all the targeted ads and news stories, telling you what you should do and buy this season, it can be really helpful to turn off the noise and just kick back and enjoy being in the moment surrounded by people you love. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and all the other things will still be there when the holidays are over, so don’t miss the fun this season and give yourself some extra time that otherwise might go to clickbait.
We hope you have a safe, healthy and enjoyable holiday season and know that if you need some relief from all of the insanity, we will be here ready to fix you up and send you back to having fun.