You want to spend time with family and friends enjoying the holiday season. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Knoxville has some tips to help you navigate your way through the season with your good health in hand! I Want Good Health for Christmas No one wants to be stuck at home with the cold or flu while everyone else is celebrating the season! Let’s take a look at a few steps you and your family can take this holiday season to enjoy the holidays without a cough or sneeze in tow. First, wash your hands! You need to prevent the spread of germs to help reduce your risk of illness this season—and the best way to do so is through regular hand washing. But remember that hand washing is more than just putting your hands under the sink for a few seconds. You have to take the time to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not immediately available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help until you are able to wash your hands properly. Second, it’s time to break out those coats! The biggest key to dressing during the winter (especially in our crazy Tennessee weather) is to layer, layer, layer! Put fitted, sweat-wicking layers closest to your skin, then looser layers on top. Your outermost layer should help keep the wind away from your skin. You should also wear protective socks, gloves and a hat when you plan to be outdoors for any length of time in the cold. The best thing about wearing layers of clothing is that you can take off layers as the day warms up—and put them back on when it gets cooler! Finally, get your stress level under control, which is easier said than done in the midst of the holiday season. Between the crowds at West Town Mall and Knoxville Center and all the chaos of a packed schedule, it’s enough to put your entire body and health into a tailspin during the holidays. When you are stressed, your immune system is suppressed. That’s why this tip is so important! Instead of fighting the crowds, try shopping when most people are at work. Better yet, use your lunch break not just to get some holiday shopping done, but also to fit in some quick exercise. Walking around a mall burns calories, as well as increases circulation and promotes better mental health. Therefore, you are now turning your stressful shopping trip into a win-win—you’ve conquered your holiday list and you’re doing something good for your health! Sometimes no matter how hard you try, sickness just rears its ugly head. But that’s what we’re here for! Visit AFC Urgent Care Knoxville when sickness strikes so that our team can help get you feeling as good as new before the holidays!