5 Effective Ways to Keep Your Family Healthy During the Holidays

Everyone loves the holidays. Families gather together in the cozy warmth of the indoors to share memories. However, all that sharing means germs can spread faster and to more people. But nothing is worse than coming down with a cold or the flu when you are trying to celebrate with family and friends. And if a family member gets sick, there’s no doubt it will travel throughout the rest of the household. So, here are five effective ways to keep your family healthy during the holidays. 

1. Go Outside 

Yes, it’s cold, so everyone would much rather stay indoors. But fresh air and sunshine are absolutely crucial for your health, both physically and mentally. Children and adults can become moody and fatigued if they neglect to spend time outdoors. So bundle up and brave the cold to keep your family healthy. Try going out midday when the sun is its strongest. Go sledding, build a snowman or just go for a winter walk. 

2. Keep Moving

Summer is so much more conducive to staying active. But don’t use that as an excuse to skip exercising. You may not want to go on a run outdoors, but you can hit the gym or find a workout on YouTube or an app. There are even plenty of exercise routines for children, too. If nothing else, blast some music and learn a new dance style to show off later.

3. Eat Fresh, Healthy Foods

Fresh fruits and vegetables are often not as common or as fresh in the wintertime. That means you always need to be on the lookout for the good ones. Fresh food is absolutely important for children and adults to stay feeling fit and happy. Plan carefully to make sure your fresh food intake is still status quo. 

4. Support Your Immune System

Winter means cold and flu season for many of us. But the good news is that you can skip the nasty sicknesses by taking the medicine beforehand. Encourage your family to take vitamin C and other immune-boosting vitamins on a regular basis. When you take vitamins regularly, your immune system can fight any cold it meets. Other ways to boost your immune system include getting plenty of rest and exercise and avoiding stress. 

5. Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands

This goes without saying, but many people forget to wash their hands before eating or handling food. So, be sure to wash your hands often. Wash them when you first come home, for example. You should wash your hands as much as possible during the winter months. Just be sure to dry them thoroughly and follow up with a good hand cream to ward off dry, cracked skin. 

It can be hard to keep your family healthy during the cold winter months, and especially during the holidays. However, it is not impossible. By following these five tips, your family may be able to keep colds and the flu at bay. And that way, everyone can enjoy the holidays and start the new year in good health.