Many of us spend the holidays going from one party to the next, enjoying the company of friends and family at restaurants or their homes. While it’s fun, it can also be exhausting. This can lead to fatigue and can also expose us to a lot of germs. The best defense is a good offense. Let’s look at some tips that can keep us going strong and healthy during the holiday season.

Simple Steps for Staying Healthy this Holiday

HAND SANITIZER

We should carry hand sanitizer or, at least, have it in our car. I don’t recommend just any hand sanitizer because some include Triclosan, a chemical that can have a negative effect on hormones. I also like to avoid alcohol-based sanitizers, since they can dry out the skin. The good news is there are some healthy brands of sanitizers on the market that work just as well as alcohol. Clean Well is a good example. They use botanical ingredients to kill germs naturally. If we use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, we should choose one that’s free of synthetic fragrances and parabens. Good options include Dr. Bronner’s, EO, and Everyone hand sanitizers, which can be found in many retail stores.

TAKE YOUR SUPPLEMENTS

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can be supportive if we're exposed to unhealthy air, which includes being around a fireplace or closed up in a house on cold day with little air circulation. We should also keep an eye out for people around us who may be coughing and sneezing. Sometimes we can avoid them; other times it may not be that easy. An overall good multivitamin can be supportive for airborne germs, especially while we indulge in holiday fare, overeat sugary treats, and sideline foods that provide the nutrients needed to keep our defenses up.

STAY HYDRATED

Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Drinking too many caffeinated beverages, including specialty coffee drinks, can be dehydrating. Alcohol can also be dehydrating. If consuming alcohol at a party, it's best to have a glass of water after each alcoholic beverage. Being dehydrated can upset the minerals in our body, like sodium and potassium, which can lead to leg cramps, fatigue, and a more impactful hangover if we over-indulge.

KEEP ELECTRONICS CLEAN

Phones, tablets, and laptops can carry a host of germs. We should wipe them down regularly, especially if someone else is using our devices. I like Better Life Screen Cleaner. Spray it on a microfiber cloth and then wipe down screens and keyboards.

Happy Holidays! Stay safe and healthy.