*I’m a sponsored Meta Influencer, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.
Sneeze, sneeze, sneeze, cough, cough, cough, the holidays are here! While it is the most wonderful time of the year, without a doubt, it’s the most stressful and illness filled time of the year as well! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we all know it’s true. Germ filled plane rides, crowded malls, going in and out of the cold air and heated air conditioned homes, sugary food and more, there’s a lot working against you this harried travel season.
The holiday travel season, and holidays in general, are an absolute immune system basher. While we try to be jolly, and keep it all together during the holiday season, it can be overwhelming and difficult. But when it comes to staying above the weather this holiday travel season, follow Santa & my favorite healthy holiday tips to get you into the new year, cold free!
Sugar Plum Fairy: Immunity Killer – Who can deny that we have entered the season of treats, sweets and general overindulgence. Sure, it’s totally fine to enjoy a hot cocoa or a slice of pie during the holidays but not every day. Do your best to eat healthy and clean as much as possible, building up your immune system with lots of veggies (dark & leafy are the best) and whole foods. Keep up your exercise routine as much as possible as well as your sleep schedule. Be choosy when you enjoy your desserts and processed carbs because with every bite, you’re suppressing your immune system. Snack safely and take your vitamins!
Sneezin’s Greetings – Flu season reaches its height in late fall and early winter. This is because viruses circulate better in the colder weather but it’s not only cold and flu bugs that become active during colder seasons. Other viruses, such as the norovirus and rotavirus, become more active during winter. Norovirus, known as the stomach flu, easily spreads through contamination in food, drink and surface contact. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. Rotavirus also causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever, andabdominal pain. So If you’re sick, cough into the crook of your arm and steer clear of any physical contact
Jolly Holiday Crowds – Think of the holiday traditions: catching a show, shopping at a crowded mall, attending holiday parties. All this means you’re indoors in crowds and exposed to everyone’s germs. As people cluster indoors, they use the same doorknobs, banisters and surfaces after wiping their noses or sneezing. During the winter season, we’re more subject to crowding, touching something that’s not hygienic and crowding and we tend to get less fresh air, too. Because it’s so dang cold out, we stay indoors, windows shut, making any virus that may be present more easily spread. Be sure to practice frequent hand-washing (at least 20 seconds wiping both the top, bottom of hands and between the fingers prior to eating and drinking) or use hand sanitizers. Also, occasionally open the window to let fresh air circulate.
Stay Regular – From fitting in fitness as best you can, keeping properly hydrated despite the dry air and keeping your daily bathroom appointments, sticking to your health regimen as best you can will be the secret ingredient to keeping you healthy and sane!
Dry winter air and home heaters wick the moisture from the air and your body so it’s really important to stay hydrated. Squeezing in some daily exercise will keep your spirits high and those calories away. And getting a little help in the digestion department is a big help against all those holiday sweets. My friends at Meta Wellness have the perfect solutions to keep you healthy and regular with their terrific line of probiotics, tasty fiber bars and powders. If you’d like to try Meta Health Bars this holiday season, be sure to visit their website for coupons!
Over the river and through the woods…Germs travel too! – Air travel means if there’s a small flu outbreak on the West Coast, that virus could be in New York in less than five hours. Germs don’t pay to travel! When family members travel across the country, they’re bringing along pathogens that have been in their communities and exposing them to new places. And it’s not only the act of being in an enclosed cabin of acar, bus, train or plane. We’re also subject to making our way through the crowds in the airport. Again, frequent hand washing and low contact with strangers will help. And hey, if you’re not opposed, wear a mask to filter out airborne yuckiness!
It’s the most stressful time of the year – End-of-the-year projects, reports, final exams, shopping, family gatherings, money problems — it could be all that work before break that spikes a stress hormone in your body. So much so that the increased cortisol level induces likelihood of infection during the holidays. Cortisol is a natural hormone that responds to stress, lowering immunity and making you more susceptible to infections. It also contributes to weight gain! The interval between acquiring a virus and becoming sick takes about 48 to 72 hours. You may have become infected when you were stressed and the symptoms may start to show right when you go on holiday break. But while stress may be unavoidable, try getting enough sleep, eating well and hydrating. Also, do your best to find things to do that bring you joy so as to counter act your stress. Prevent the stress hormones from wreaking havoc by better planning, avoiding traffic, buying presents earlier.
*Meta partnered with bloggers, such as me, to get the word out about its great product benefits. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Meta believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Meta’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
