TIPS TO STAYING HEALTHY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

I LOVE the holidays. I love the holidays so much the moment it’s over, I start looking forward to the next year holidays. I mean, what’s not to love about it? - The food, the people, the Christmas movies, the lights and decorations. There is just something about this season that seems to make things brighter - literally and figuratively. In the midst of this ravaging pandemic that is COVID-19, we could use some holiday cheer. While most of us will probably not be able to partake in parties like we are used to and probably have to spend without a family members being physically there, there are a few tricks and trips we can apply to ensure we all stay safe and disease free. 

1. Mindfulness 

The holiday season if filled with activities such as nativity plays, parties, gift buying, Christmas pageants, entertaining out of town guests on top of daily activities. This can get overwhelming. To make sure you are not boggled down by the motions that come with the season, ensure to stop and live in the moment. Enjoy and savor the moments and resist the urge to want to document everything without actually experiencing them. Practice gratitude and medication every day, it will lift your mood.

2. Tender Loving Care 

Loving on yourself is essential in maintaining your sanity. Ensure you take time off from your work and even your loved ones and do something solely for yourself. Have you been thinking of that spa day? Take the day off and pamper yourself. If that is not possible, even an hour to yourself will do the trick. It can be reading your favorite book, catching up on your devotional, gardening or even a nap. Whatever it is that brings you joy, do it.

3. Scale Down The Alcohol 

Now is not the time to make up for all the drinking you missed out during quarantine. If you do, hangovers, lowered immunity will be your jam. Do want go get sick for a few shots? Keep away from alcohol. Instead, drink some water and homemade juice without the added sugar. Stay hydrated. 

4 . Virtual Parties To ensure we not only take care of our loved ones, the vulnerable and ourselves, it is important to avoid physical parties as we can’t know who may be sick. Instead, hold virtual parties with your loved ones via zoom, skype or any other platform there is. You can watch movies with them or have a game night, just not in person. 

5. Move Physical activity of whatever kind is encouraged to ensure your health. If you were working out before, don’t stop, continue doing so. If you are a couch potato, it’s not too late for you. You can still walk around the block to the shop to get at least some activity in. Remember, exercise has many benefits to your health.

6. Some ZZzz’s We need sleep to recharge and energize failure to which we get fatigued and sluggish. Even as you stay up to partake in the fun activities that come with the holidays, ensure to get some rest. Sleep 6-8 hours every night to wake up refreshed. 

If you have a day that you feel you have fallen off the wagon, don’t give up. Wake up, dust off and repeat. Giving up is not an option as it will make it harder to get back on track once you decide to start over.