15 WAYS TO HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON BY PINK ELEPHANT COSMETICS

The holiday season doesn’t have to be a vacation from good health. With a little effort and planning, you can enjoy the holidays by making your health and safety a priority.

How to stay healthy during the holiday

Take these steps to keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy and ready to enjoy the holidays.

1. Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs

Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds as this will help prevent the spread of germs.

2. Stay Warm  

Wear appropriate warm clothes, scarves, gloves, hats, and waterproof boots. These will help you stay warm in the winter season.

3. Manage stress

Give yourself a break if you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, and out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep.

4. Make time for self-care

Don't let the holiday madness take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Whether you're caught up in cooking, holiday shopping or socializing, don't put your needs on the back burner. Take some time off to relax and unwind, go for a walk, meditate, watch your favorite movie or read a good book, do at least one thing every day that makes you truly happy. In addition, get adequate sleep. Shortchanging your sleep can alter your hormone levels in a way that encourages weight gain and cravings for less healthy food. Try to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep on most nights.

5. Don’t drink and drive or let others drink and drive

Whenever anyone drives drunk, they put everyone on the road in danger. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.

6. Be smoke-free

Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke. Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use, but nonsmokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.

7. Prepare food safely

Wash hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination, cook foods to proper temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly.

8. Eat healthily, stay active

Eat fruits and vegetables which pack nutrients and help lower the risk for certain diseases. Limit your portion sizes and foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. It’s easy to neglect physical activity during the holiday season. It’s cold outside, you have decorating and party planning to do, or maybe you’re busy visiting with relatives. Still, daily exercise is crucial for good health. Prioritize physical activity, and make time to be active.

9. Embrace the season

Enjoy the festive holiday fare you can't get any other time of year, like stuffing,  pumpkin pie and gifting your loved ones. Remember that the holidays are about spending time with relatives and friends. Take a deep breath, smile, and connect.

10. Be inspired to stay in the spirit of good health! 

Listen to The 12 Ways to Health Holiday Song or a holiday health podcast.

11. Get exams and screenings

Ask your health care provider what exams you need and when to get them. Update your personal and family history.

12. Monitor children

Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children’s reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents.

13. Practice fire safety

Most residential fires occur during the winter months, so don’t leave fireplaces, space heaters, food cooking on stoves, or candles unattended. Have an emergency plan and practice it regularly.

14. Eat fruits

Let’s be honest, most of us get through the entire Christmas period eating a very little amount of fruits. It just doesn’t feature on the Christmas menu. But at this time of late nights, overindulging and partying, it’s more important than ever to get your vitamins and minerals, to help you stay in good health. Ensure that your Christmas shopping list enables you to fill up the fruit bowl and get your recommended daily portions of fruit and veg. (And no, mulled wine doesn’t count as one portion!)

15. Do something for others

It’s hard to avoid the consumerism that has overtaken Christmas in the western world, but it doesn’t all have to be about giving or receiving gifts. Try to do something for others this festive season, whether it’s baking some extra mince pies for an elderly neighbor, or donating gifts to a local charity. Skincare gift sets are without a doubt a good gift recommendation which can be given or donated to people.

And most importantly, have a happy, healthy festive season in advance from Pink Elephant Cosmetics!