With so many things going on this year, having a healthy holiday does not necessarily mean not catching a cold. It’s important to keep your physical and mental health at the top of your mind throughout the entire winter. There can be a lot of overwhelming pressure to maintain a sense of happiness while also wondering if your new cough is from COVID. AFC Urgent Care in Vernon is here to help you feel your best this holiday season. 

Avoiding Weight Gain

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is a lot of delicious food going around, and it can be easy to overindulge. One of the best ways to avoid overeating while still enjoying all of your favorite foods is only to allow yourself to go crazy on the actual holiday. Eating a lot on just two days during the season will not end up adding on the additional weight, and allowing yourself to overeat for days after is the problem. Adding short walks to your day after meals will also help you combat weight gain. Walking before or after meals will help your digestive system and your mental health by getting outside in the sunlight. 

Catching a Virus

Both the flu and COVID are topics for discussion this holiday season, and adding that additional stress is not good for you. Getting the annual flu shot and avoiding close contact with others are the best ways to avoid getting very sick this year. If you plan to see any family members this holiday, the best way to keep your loved ones protected is by getting tested for COVID before. The only way to know for sure if you have COVID is by getting tested, and the elderly are among the highest risk for serious complications.

Stress During Holidays

While the holidays are seen as a cheerful and happy time, they can bring out overwhelming feelings for some people. Successful ways to manage stress are different for everyone, but there are some tips that can help you get through each day. Stop and take a moment each day to think about what you are thankful for. This helps you remember what the holidays are really about – spending time with the people you love. You can also plan to have your favorite activities on days that give you something to look forward to. If you love to build gingerbread houses with your cousins, plan a video call one Saturday afternoon and build them together (remotely)!