During the holiday season, we're elbow-to-elbow at parties, in grocery stores and bakeries, and in various stores and malls. We'll shake hands, give hugs, give cheek kisses, and kiss under the mistletoe. All of this intimate contact means there's a higher chance of catching someone else's germs and getting sick. It's miserable enough getting sick, but around the holidays it is so much worse. Take preventative measures to keep yourself healthy and you can significantly reduce your chances of getting sick regardless of how many parties and events you attend.
Get enough sleep
You know how run down you feel when you don't get enough sleep, and during the holidays with all the social obligations, it can be even more difficult to get the right amount. That means your immune system isn't at it's best. Make more of an effort during the holidays to get an adequate amount of sleep - 7 hours of sleep per night - if you want to up your chances of remaining healthy during the holidays.
Set a limit for yourself
It's so tempting to go for the decadent desserts and delicious appetizers, but set a limit for yourself and stick to it. It's going to be difficult, especially when someone is waving a cream puff in your face, but just remember that you can enjoy things within moderation as long as you limit yourself.
Meditate
Mediation is one of my favorite things to do when I need to reduce stress; It's especially useful during the holidays. Take a few minutes to meditate first thing in the morning and then again at night to help keep your stress under control. If you're not sure exactly how to meditate, it's extremely easy once you get the hang of it.
Avoid shopping online
It's so much easier to shop online, but one problem is that you're sitting while you're doing it. When you're shopping in the stores, you move around and walk all over. You'll get a workout without even realizing it, especially if you're walking around a mall. If you live in a large city, such as New York City, forget about subways or cabs and get a really great workout while you do your shopping.
Wash your hands and your items
It's not enough to just wash your hands, especially during the holiday season -- you have to also wipe down the items you frequently touch. When you have germs all over your cell phone or purse, then wash your hands and pick up the items again, your hands are once again covered in germs. Wipe down those items, then wash your hands -- carry antibacterial wipes to make it easier.
It may seem silly to take extra preventative steps to remain healthy over the holidays, but you're going to be quite grateful you did when others around you are getting sick and you're still healthy with a ton of energy.
