It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the holiday season can be a challenge. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days, year-end deadlines, and pre-holiday preparation – not to mention kids passing around colds at school like they’re playing “Hot Potato” – you can end up spending the holidays under the covers.
No matter how many inherent seasonal risk factors you face, there are ways to prepare for and get through the season virtually unscathed. At O’Connor Insurance, we wish for you a happy and abundantly healthy holiday season, so here are a few tips to help you stay well and enjoy!
Consider ‘sticking it’ to The Flu. Flu shots seem to be available at practically every drug store or pharmacy in St. Louis. Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of flu shots for yourself and your family. People over 65, pregnant women, and anyone with a compromised immune system should get the shot each year.
Get some zzz’s. The holiday hustle and bustle can interfere with normal sleep patterns, yet sleep is essential to health and healing. Prioritize getting enough sleep – or taking a quick nap – despite your busy schedule.
Fill the fridge. It’s easy to allow your pantry to start looking like a sweet shop as the holidays near. Take care to stock your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy snacks and ingredients for balanced meals. Think fruit, nuts, lower-calorie snacks, veggies, and lean proteins. Take extra snacks to the office so temptation won’t be in your home.
Get real. Emotional health is important, too, so be realistic about what can be expected through the season. Take stock of your stress level, and don’t feel guilty declining invitations when you need some personal time.
Keep moving. Despite the many holiday temptations to just relax, don’t give in to being a couch potato. Get to the gym or yoga studio, go for a walk (maybe check out the lights at the zoo or botanical garden), jump on the treadmill, or dance. The important thing is to just move!
From all of us at O’Connor Insurance to you, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!
