How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays

The holiday season is also cold and flu season. With everything you have to do — and everything you want to do — the last thing you need is to spend days in bed nursing a cold. To avoid the sickness that comes with the season, try these healthy holiday tips to keep your immune system humming along.

Stay Hydrated

When you're busy, you don't even notice that you're not taking time to stay hydrated. Use an app on your phone to remind yourself to get your water in each day. Considering all the germs that circulate at this time of year, it's even more important to drink up.

Watch Your Nutrition

While you should enjoy the treats of the season, remember that eating everything in moderation is essential. Your diet doesn't have to take a hit — just plan for indulging. Try to focus on the 80/20 rule: eat 80 percent healthy foods and aim for 20 percent (or less) of indulgence. Allowing yourself to have some treats makes it easier to avoid overeating. If you're attending a party in the evening, make an extra effort to eat healthily during the day. The day after, fill your meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. Check out Food Lion's Fresh Ideas blog for healthy holiday recipes.

Keep It Clean

You'll probably come into contact with more people than usual during this time, and some of those people will be sick. Reduce your exposure to germs by keeping your hands clean. Wash your hands before eating and throughout the day. Keep hand sanitizer nearby for times when soap and water aren't convenient.

Don't Give Up Your Workouts

You probably can get your steps in with all the shopping and errands you're doing, and you might want to skip the gym. Make sure to get your workouts in, aiming for about an hour a day on most days. Exercise boosts your immune system, which helps you avoid holiday bugs.

Build in Downtime

Although it's the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the craziest time of the year. If you're overscheduling yourself, put time on your calendar for relaxation. Whether it's an hour at the coffee shop listening to holiday music or an afternoon binge-watching Christmas movies, you need time to recharge.

Get Your Eight Hours

Your body needs ample rest to repair and restore itself, and the best way to do this is to make sure to aim for eight hours of sleep per night. This can be hard to do with all the activities you're enjoying during the holiday, but consider the time you lose when you have to take time off while you're sick.