Healthy Holidays: Tips to Keep Yourself and Others Safe

Tis the season for the sniffles. We’ve been hearing about the “tripledemic” since Thanksgiving and it seems like sickness is in the air. With Christmas just around the corner, it’s important to prioritize staying healthy.

Healthy Habits

To make your holidays merry and bright, the CDC recommends the following five tips:

1. Wash hands often to avoid spreading germs.
2. Wear appropriate clothing outside and stay warm. Remember to wear layers.
3. Manage stress. Stress can affect your immune system, making you more prone to getting sick.
4. Get your flu vaccination and Covid booster. A flu vaccine takes about two weeks to become effective, so now might be the best time to get it if you haven’t already.
5. Eat healthy foods and exercise.

Stay Healthy When Traveling

For many of us, Christmas involves traveling—whether that’s by plane or car. That can mean coming in contact with a lot of people and a lot of illnesses. To stay healthy, Conde Nast recommends you prioritize sleep, stay hydrated, sanitize frequently touched surfaces, and wear a mask.

Infectious disease specialists also recommend you be cautious before a trip to avoid exposing others to illness. If you’re planning on visiting grandparents, avoid potentially risky behavior and large groups of people inside a week or two before.

 

Boost Your Immune System

It’s important to keep your immune system strong to fight off infections and illnesses. Specialists recommend a healthy, diverse diet full of fruits and vegetables, along with exercise.

Another way to naturally boost your immune system is to get outside. Vitamin D can boost immune cell production.

If you’re cooking, add a little garlic to your food. Garlic and onions are strong sources of anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. For 10 other immune boosting foods, click here.

About Advena Living

At Advena Living, our goal is to keep community members healthy and happy. We believe every individual should get to live how they want, and be able to maintain special daily pleasures, rituals and traditions that make them who they are.

Advena Living specializes in assisted living, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and long-term care throughout the state. We have seven locations in Bonner Springs, Cherryvale, Clay Center, Clearwater, Rose Hill, Topeka, and Wichita.