As the holiday season approaches, many parents find themselves managing busy schedules filled with events, activities and travel. Unfortunately, this time of year can also see a rise in illness, leading to an increased need for pediatrician sick care appointments. While you might not be able to completely eradicate the stress of the holidays, you can take steps to protect your family’s health at the busiest time of the year. Take a look at some of our favorite methods for staying physically and emotionally healthy during the holiday season.
5 Tips to Boost Your Body’s Defenses
If you or your child often get sick during the holidays, you might assume it’s just a natural part of life. However, it’s very likely that there are triggers that weaken the immune system and lead to the common cold, flu and other illnesses. Try the following five health-boosting approaches this year and see how much better you feel.
Fend Off Germs
Family gatherings, airports and travel stops, shopping malls, even the library during finals week — they are all places germs like to mingle. So protect yourself: Get a flu vaccine and wash your hands a lot. The holidays are all about sharing, but some things you will want to keep to yourself: forks, spoons, and drinking utensils. People can be contagious before they know they are sick, so even just a sip from someone’s drink puts his or her germs in your body.
Eat Healthy and Be Merry
Holiday foods can be high in calories and low on the nutrition you need to battle germs and boost energy. Make it a priority to eat five or more fruits and vegetables a day (choose the whole fruit instead of juice so you feel full longer and avoid added sugar). Carry an apple or a bag of baby carrots so you always have a healthy snack available. And do not give your exercise routine a holiday. Exercise gives you energy in addition to burning calories.
Chill Out
“Can I afford it?” “Will it be perfect?” Even things we look forward to, like parties or gifts, can come with worries attached. If you feel stressed out, stop what you are doing for just a moment. Take five deep breaths — all-the-way-down-to-your-belly deep. Concentrate on each breath as you inhale and exhale. Walk over to a window and look out at the sky. Then go back to what you were doing, realizing that holiday drama will happen. Just hope it leaves you with some great stories to tell.
Beat the Blues
Holiday depression does not just happen in songs. For some people, it is seasonal, brought on by shorter days, longer nights, and colder weather. Other people are going through difficult life events like a breakup or a move. If you feel down, go outside, even if it’s cold where you live. Sunlight and exercise are great mood lifters. Try a seasonal activity to put you in the holiday spirit, like ice-skating or neighborhood carol singing. And don’t hesitate to talk to someone you trust, like a parent or teacher, about how you’re feeling.
Get Some ZZZs
Getting 8½ to 9 hours of sleep a night during the holidays can help strengthen your immune system, give you more energy, and make you less vulnerable to stress.
One of the top things to do for your health is to get out and have fun. Forget about the tough stuff for a while (except for your safety, of course — be sure someone knows where you are and watch out for drunk drivers).
Laugh and enjoy yourself — the holidays only come once a year.
Visit Us for Sick Care and Well-Child Visits in Cumming
At Vickery Pediatrics, we help local families in Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and Forsyth County to achieve their best health. Our sick care and well-child specialists are here to help when you need us most. Call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment now.
