‘Tis the season for fun, food, and festive memories! The holidays can also bring a little extra chaos with all the planning and prepping. Skip the pressure and stress with these 10 tips to help you stay healthy and happy this season.
1. Reach for veggies and fruit
An overload of holiday foods can overtax your digestive system and lead to gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, and depression. Indigestion and heartburn, which can produce symptoms that mimic heart attack, are among the top reasons for holiday urgent care visits.
Make space on your plate for the healthy stuff:
- Start with veggies first at holiday parties and buffet tables.
- Add extra fruits and veggies to holiday dishes.
- Stock the fridge with grab-and-go bags of fruit and raw vegetables.
- Spice things up with tasty dipping sauces like pumpkin hummus, guacamole, or almond butter.
2. Walk it out
Between school programs, social events, shopping, and Hallmark movie marathons, your regular fitness routine may take a back burner this holiday season. Even if you can’t make it to your fitness classes, it’s important to make time to move. A walk outdoors is a great way to boost your oxygen intake, elevate your heart rate, enhance your mood, and put a damper on holiday stress.
3. Protect against germs
Let's try to make joy the only thing being spread this season!
- Wash hands using soap and warm running water for one chorus of Jingle Bells (20 seconds).
- Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- If you’re sick, skip the holiday celebrations to limit the spread of viruses.
4. Substitute healthy alternatives to your favorites
You can still satisfy yearnings for those traditional holiday dishes. Opt for healthier alternatives to cranberry sauce (swap maple syrup for white sugar), whipped cream (psst…coconut milk) and fruitcake. (If anyone really does eat fruitcake, pumpkin gingerbread loaf is a delicious stand-in.)
5. Nurture your mental health
For some, the holidays aren't always merry and bright. If you or a loved one are struggling with anxiety or depression over the holidays, don’t wait to ask for help.
Indigo offers screenings for anxiety and depression for adults 18 and older. Get started today with a virtual visit.
6. Give yourself the gift of downtime
Make this season all about balance. Along with socializing, it’s important to schedule quiet time to rest, relax, and reset. If sweat pants and the sofa sound more appealing than a cookie swap, listen to your instincts. The more you take care of yourself, the better you can take care of (and enjoy and appreciate) your loved ones.
7. Drink more water
This time of year, it’s not always easy to remember to hydrate. But when the body doesn’t get enough fluids, that can lead to some unpleasant symptoms like headaches and fatigue.
Exactly how much water you need varies based on age, weight, activity level, and other factors. In general, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recommends about 13 cups (124.8 ounces) of water each day for men and around 11.4 cups (91.2 ounces) for women. When in doubt about how much water you need, ask your medical provider.
Not a big fan of the clear stuff? Jazz up plain or seltzer water with lemon, lime, orange, strawberries, mint, or even a festive cinnamon stick.
8. Get your sleep
Lack of sleep has been linked to a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and poor mental health. Find out how much sleep you need and some tips on how to improve sleep quality.
9. Eat well—most of the time
Don’t try to stick to rigid diets during the holidays. Rather, opt for balance and moderation. When you eat well 80 percent of the time, you can indulge the other 20 percent.
10. Just say no, no, no
Honestly, you really can’t do it all. Make a list of activities and events that are most important to you and call it good. Creating—and sticking to—personal boundaries is one of the best things you can do for your health during the holidays.
Indigo Urgent Care is here for you during the holidays
During this especially busy time of year, one thing you don’t have to hassle with is health care. Indigo Urgent Care offers refreshingly friendly care every day, 8 am to 8 pm.
And to make care even more convenient for you and your family, Indigo offers virtual visits every day 8 am to 8 pm, from wherever you are.
