How to Stay Healthy Through the Holiday Season

It's that time of year again — family get-togethers, holiday parties, and shopping for gifts. Although it's the best time of year for many, it also spells overeating, flu season, and exhaustion.

Staying healthy during the holiday months can be challenging. Still, it's entirely possible with various tips and tricks from the Calvary Urgent Care team.

Dr. Joseph Goin is our in-house primary and urgent care specialist, offering vaccines, COVID-19 testing, and virtual visits to keep you healthy during the next few months.

Tips to stay healthy during the holidays

With a few of the biggest holidays just around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and ignore your health. However, the result is often poor food choices, colds, and holiday weight that you need help to lose.

The great news is that you can still enjoy the holidays without sacrificing your health. Just because the holidays are almost here doesn't mean you have to put your wellness and long-term health on the back burner.

There are plenty of tips and tricks to stay on track this holiday season, some of which include the following:

Wash your hands

Handwashing is one of the most important ways to stay healthy this holiday season. Between family gatherings and holiday parties, it's easy to pick up many surface germs, which you can eliminate by washing your hands regularly.

Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is essential at every time of year, but it's harder to come by in the upcoming months. The proper amount of sleep allows the body to recharge and reset, helping you fight off illness and the stress of the forthcoming season.

Get the proper vaccines

Vaccines are vital to staying safe during cold and flu season. If you're spending the holidays overseas, ensure you're up to date on your flu shot, COVID-19 vaccine, and other essential travel vaccines.

Getting the necessary vaccines before the busy season prepares your body for the influx of germs and viruses found in public areas and large holiday gatherings.

Drink plenty of water

Hot cocoa and mulled cider are winter favorites but shouldn't be the only things you drink in the colder months. Water is essential for the body to function, thrive, and fight off viruses and bacteria.

It's okay to have a glass of hot cocoa here and there, but fill up your belly with at least eight glasses of water a day to help you feel good and stay healthy throughout the winter months.

Add in exercise

The hustle and bustle of the holidays makes it hard to find time for yourself — and forget working out, right? But exercise is essential to staying healthy and fit all year long.

Try to get about 30 minutes of exercise every day, even just walking around the neighborhood or playing basketball with your friends.

Watch what you eat

It's easy to overeat and consume sugary, high-fat foods during the holidays, often resulting in added weight and tight clothing. Just because the holidays are here doesn't mean you should ignore healthy eating.

While indulging a little during the festivities is okay, stick to whole, nutritious foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins. You can splurge on one item you want while focusing on healthier options.

Cover your mouth

Respiratory illnesses run rampant this time of year; add large gatherings, and you have a recipe for disaster. Illnesses like the flu, common cold, and COVID-19 spread through airborne droplets, making them easy to get while enjoying holiday parties.

While you can't control everyone else, you can do your part in preventing the spread of winter illnesses by covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. If everyone covers their mouths, it's more likely that you'll stay healthy all winter long.

Seeking help if you're sick or need a pick-me-up over the holidays is vital. We offer urgent care hours and helpful treatments to maintain your health and wellness over the busy holiday season.

To schedule an appointment for vaccines or primary care exams today, call Calvary Urgent Care in Humble, Texas, to schedule an appointment or request a consultation on our website.