Staying Healthy During the Holidays

Thanksgiving has passed and it won't be long before we are all celebrating Christmas with our friends and families. For this Thanksgiving, I spent time with my family which included my two young nephews. If you know anything about kids, it should be that they are germ havens. Kids love to get dirty and stay dirty. And who can resist kissing the lovable chubby cheeks of a red headed nephew? I say, if you can, than there is something wrong with you but perhaps you are smarter than you think.
The holidays mean close interactions with friends and family and objects. Think of all the events that you will go to where you will stick your hand into a bowl of chips or be confined in a small room with someone that keeps sneezing or blowing their nose. Now, I am not saying that you should avoid holiday gatherings but here is a list of things that you can do to help get you through the holidays.

How to Survive the Holidays:
1.Wash your hands: Try to wash them as many times as you can to keep those germs away from you and others.
2. Take a good whole food multi-vitamin: Trying to eat healthy through the holidays is a challenge and we all splurge a little bit. But excess sugar in your diet can put a strain on your immune system. Have a little extra support to get you through the holidays is very important.
3. Keep up that exercise routine: Parties and more parties can really change your routine. Try to keep your workout schedule or modify to fit your plans. Maybe try to do 20 mins of cardio before you get ready for the work christmas party. You needed to changed clothes anyway, why not add a little sweating in there before you put on that fancy party dress?
4. Take a look at your medicine cabinet: Nothing is worse than waking up in the middle of the night coughing or having a runny nose and not having anything to help you get back to sleep. If you are like me, I have certain products that I use such as Lauricidin (http://www.lauricidin.com/) to help combat colds. But this product is only offered through mail order or at physicians offices that sell the product like mine. If I have to wait to get it in the mail, that means days of being sick that could of been avoided.
5. Purchase a neti pot(http://www.sinucleanse.com/product/neti.htm): If you are like me, I don't like to take medicine unless I really have to. At the first sign of congestion, why not try a safe alternative that helps to cleanse your sinuses? Many people are hesititant to use them because they feel like they are drowning. The most important thing to remember is not to breathe out your nose but through your mouth. Or try an alternative to the neti pot - http://ayrrinsekit.com/. It is more a nasal wash and many people find it easier to use. And come on, you can't deny the ancient wisdom of yogis.
6. Got Mediation? - Holidays brings lots of parties and presents. But it also brings stress. Mediation has been proven to reduce blood pressure and pain. But there is nothing wrong with taking ten minutes to just sit and relax. There is nothing you can't handle with a clear head. Can't mediate? Try just focusing on your breathing. You will be amazed of how better you feel if you just stop and take a deep breathe.
7. Pick your poison. Whether you like to treat yourself to a massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, manicure/pedicure, or pilates reformer class, do something for you. Even though the holidays are about giving and appreciating others, it doesn't mean you can't give to yourself. And by giving to yourself, you feel better and stay healthy.
8. Don't go to work sick. Okay, so you have tried your best to stay healthy through the holidays but sometimes it can't be avoided. At the first sign of any cough, sneeze or headache, take some time away from work. Otherwise, you will be too sick to open presents.

Now, these are just a few things to help you get through the holidays healthy and happy. Try to do a few and see how it you make it into the new year.