Winter is a time for all kinds of holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, it’s also the time that germs and viruses are everywhere you turn. But don’t let that get you down because we’ve got tips for protecting your health during the holidays.
Fight off germs: Cold and flu prevention and ways to stop the spread
Spending more time indoors, and around other people, means you have a higher chance of catching a cold, the flu or COVID-19. Nobody wants to spend the holidays sick. So, consider these holiday health tips — psst … they actually work all year long!
- Wash your hands. A little soap and warm water go a long way towards staying healthy. Germs live on surfaces and are easily transferred to and from our hands. Remember to wash your hands after sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose.
- Avoid touching your face. Germs enter our bodies through our eyes, nose and mouth.
- Use a humidifier. Flu germs thrive in drier conditions and dry eyes, noses and mouths are more vulnerable to viruses.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. It’s more than just good manners. Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or the crook of your elbow if you’re caught empty handed, can keep germs from spreading.
- Stay current on your flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Doctors suggest getting your flu shot in late October or early November to help you stay healthy during holiday gatherings.
Keep your immune system strong
When you’re exposed to germs, a healthy immune system can fight off sickness. Here’s how you can take care of your immune system so it can take care of you:
- Stay hydrated. Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.
- Rest. Sleep for about 8 hours a night. It’s best if you go to bed and get up around the same time each day.
- Eat a variety of nutritious foods. Your diet should center around vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats.
- Get your vitamin D. Make sure to get outside each day. Sunshine is a great source of vitamin D as are some foods like such as mushrooms and salmon.
- Reduce stress. This time of year tends to be busy and sometimes stressful. It’s important to find ways to relax and unwind during the holiday season. Try not to over-extend yourself and take time for self-care.
- Stay active. Regular exercise reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, burns calories and improves your immune system.
Pay attention to food safety at holiday events
Whether you’re hosting or attending a holiday gathering, you should be aware of some basic food safety rules.
- Be aware of food allergies. Knowing and sharing what’s in the food protects guests with food allergies.
- Don’t cook while you’re sick. Maybe you do make the most delicious dish, but nobody wants a side of germs at their holiday dinner.
- Wash your hands. You need to wash up before, during and after preparing food and before eating.
- Rinse fruits and vegetables. It’s a great idea to set out healthy fruit and veggie trays — just be sure they’re washed first.
- Handle meats properly. Never thaw meat at room temperature and always keep raw meats separate from each other and all other foods. Also, use a food thermometer to make sure meat is cooked to the proper temperature.
- Use pasteurized eggs. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli. That’s why you shouldn’t eat uncooked batter or dough. When a recipe (such as eggnog) requires raw egg, you should always use pasteurized eggs for added safety.
- Don’t leave food out too long. Hot food needs to be kept hot and cold food needs to be kept cold. Perishable food should be refrigerated within two hours.
