The winter holiday season can be a time for joy, festivity, and celebration. However, the winter can also be a taxing season for our health. Between the cold weather, the added stress of the holidays, and the huge crowds at the mall, it’s unfortunately all too common to not feel your best during this time of year. But that doesn’t have to be the case. The healthcare providers at Family Practice Center wanted to share a few holiday health tips to help our readers feel their very best through the holidays and into the new year.
Get a Flu Shot
Flu season is on the horizon. The surest way to protect yourself and your family from this potentially serious illness is to receive a flu vaccination. Getting a flu shot can help keep you safe from debilitating flu germs that are all too common around the holidays.
Don’t Forget to Stay Hydrated
The winter months in Georgia can be quite dry. Although you may not have the same urge to quench your thirst during the winter, you may be risking dehydration. This can make you more likely to get sick. Drinking water helps your body carry vital nutrients to cells and clear your system of toxins. We recommend making a concerted effort to drink water during the day throughout the winter and beyond.
Support Your Immune System
The best way to avoid sickness during the holidays is to build up a strong immune system. Getting plenty of sleep every night (we recommend 7-9 hours) can help prevent your immune system from weakening, which can make you more vulnerable to illnesses like colds and the flu. Additionally, eating a healthy diet featuring large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables can help boost your immune system. Vitamin C supplements can also be helpful.
Wash Your Hands Regularly
Washing your hands is important all year, but especially so during the winter. Thoroughly and regularly washing your hands with soap and water can prevent the spread of germs to yourself and others. This is particularly important for kids in school and when you’re in large crowds during holiday shopping. In order to kill the most germs, we recommend scrubbing your hands in warm water and soap for 20 seconds when you wash. Keeping alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you can help in instances when you’re not able to wash your hands.
Being sick around the holidays can be a real bummer. Hopefully following these tips will help keep you and your family free to enjoy the holiday season feeling your very best. Scheduling a pre-holiday wellness check-up at Family Practice Center can help make sure that you head into the holiday season in the best-possible physical health. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact Family Practice Center. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for health tips, news, photos, and more.