This week is Thanksgiving in the United States, marking the beginning of the holiday season. The holidays are a great opportunity to enjoy being with loved ones, but they are not without their demands. Physical, emotional, and mental stress can accompany the holiday joy and can make everything a little harder for those already experiencing difficulties with their health. We at NeedyMeds have tips for staying healthy during the holiday season.
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Travel safely. Last year we shared a blog with tips for traveling, especially for those travelling with a chronic illness. Whether traveling by car or by air: plan ahead, stay safe, and prepare for any personal health needs.
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Wash your hands. Keeping your hands clean is an important step to avoiding sickness and spreading germs, especially while travelling or preparing food.
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Stay warm. The holiday season brings winter to much of the United States and cold temperatures can cause health problems, especially the very young and elderly adults. Stay dry and dress warmly in several layers.
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Manage stress. The holidays can be stressful—familial obligations, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and even less sunlight can contribute to the deterioration of mental health. Balance commitments, down time, and enjoyment; make sure to get enough sleep.
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Eat healthy & stay active. Holidays are often times of hearty meals followed by sweet desserts, but it is important to keep a balanced diet. Don’t skip out on the colorful fruits and vegetables at Thanksgiving dinner, and try not to be weighed down by the “food coma”—get out and be active.
NeedyMeds does not have resources specifically for the holidays, but there are programs that offer meal delivery or food pantries for those in need with certain diagnoses. These can be found in our Diagnosis-Based Assistance database. We also have an upcoming webinar about Holiday Health with an Autoimmune Condition next week, which you can register for here for more targeted information on maintaining holiday health.
We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday from all of us at NeedyMeds.
