For many people, the holiday season is a time filled with fun, family, friends, and gifts. During this time, many of us have a busy schedule filled with holiday festivities and party planning. This makes it easy to forget about taking care of ourselves and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Make smarter and healthier decisions this holiday by following these simple steps:
1. Get Vaccinated, Yearly Screenings & Exams
During the holiday season, your chances of getting sick increase because of cooler temperatures. Protect yourself and others by yearly exams, screenings, and vaccinations. Vaccinations help prevent disease and save lives. Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. Care Resource is offering vaccinations for pediatric patients at our Little Havana health center.
2. Make Healthy Food Choices
The holidays can present many temptations to over-indulge in sweets and processed foods. While you may not be able to completely avoid these temptations, you can make healthier decisions by being mindful of serving sizes and not over-eating. According to Gloria Cabral, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist with Care Resource, “When grocery shopping, always check the serving size first. All the information on the label is based on the serving size. Many packages contain more than 1 serving. By planning carefully with your Care Resource provider, you can make healthy habit that lasts a lifetime.”
3. Manage Your Stress
Stress has been shown to impact physical and/or behavioral health. If you feel stressed out or overwhelmed, make sure to give yourself a break and find healthy ways of managing stress. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.
4. Make Time for Exercise
It’s easy to forget about exercising during the holiday season. Shopping, party planning, and spending time with friends and family can fill up your schedule. Prioritizing daily physical activity can help support your immune system and help burn off extra holiday calories.
5. Prioritize your Behavioral Health
Many people struggle with feelings of sadness and depression during the holiday season. While these feelings can sometimes go away on their own, it’s important to seek support from friends, family, or licensed behavioral health professionals. Maintaining positive behavioral health is beneficial to your overall wellbeing.
