You know I’m a big fan of moving during the holiday season. Why else would I be participating in a bunch of different holiday challenges AND have just joined a gym for the first time in 12 years? Sometimes though, just staying moving is not enough to keep you healthy during the holidays. Sometimes you need to do a little extra self care. Here are my go to tips for making it through the holidays as healthy as possible.
- Get enough sleep – I know. So much to do. So many events. So hard to get enough sleep. But make the effort. Your personal sleep needs may vary, but studies have shown that sleep deprivation does affect both your immune system’s ability to fight off cold and flu, but also prevents it from recovering as fast. Get those Z’s!
- Eat your vegetables and fruits – I don’t know about you, but winter = soups and comfort food for me. While these are great and many do contain lots of veggies, I have to make an actual effort to get fresh fruits and greens into my diet. I’m a big believer in a healthy diet keeping your immune system stronger.
- Wash your hands when you enter the house – I’m not a germaphobe. I actually tend to be pretty mellow about things. But a while back, I got in the habit of washing my hands as soon as I walked in the door. And I’m convinced that plays a role in the fact that I am very seldom sick. Soap, hot water, and a few minutes. That’s all you need.
- Get outside as much as you can – Fresh air + nature = immune booster. I know sometimes the weather isn’t great for time outside, but as long as it’s not dangerous (crazy cold or snowy/icy), I try to get outside for at least a while each day. And I’m that crazy girl running in about 1000 layers when it’s single digits out.
- Take elderberry syrup (or use lozenges) when someone in your house is sick or you feel something coming on – I personally have only used this once – when the kids and Beer Geek were all sick before the Marine Corps Marathon. It worked that time (I know sample size of 1), but the reason I’m sharing it with you is that both my mom and my chiropractor swear by it. My mom’s word not enough? There are actually studies that support it.
I’m linking up with Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for Friday Five.
What are your favorite ways to boost your immune system in the winter?
OH HOW I ADORE YOUVE APPROACHED THE HEALTHY HEALTHY.
the not getting sick healthy.
Im a little tired of the other kind 🙂 only as the holidays are short and so is flipping life 🙂
My rear may grow over the holidays, but I don’t plan to miss workouts due to being sick LOL.
Love all these tips and couldn’t agree more. I swear elderberry syrup really works too. Thanks
Always good to know I’m not alone on something working.
Isn’t it funny how hard it is to love the freggies in winter?
Dogs are great for getting you outside. If it were just cats still here, I’d probably be a hermit all winter.
Kids help too. I’ve spent a lot of time outside a soccer field this fall LOL.
I buy fresh fruit all the time, but not being a fan of veggies, it is hard to eat them outside of casseroles and stews. I think that’s why I love having fruit in the house. Aside from the occasional apple pie, most of the fruit I consume is fresh.
Funny, I’m just the opposite. I sometimes go days without eating a piece of fruit.
Sleep is a big one! I can keep track with my fitbit and will adjust my planned workout schedule based upon my sleep status. I am a germophobe (not generally, I will eat food off the ground) and find myself washing my hands very frequently at work, especially at this time of year when everyone seems to be sniffling and coughing!
I’m so glad I work from home now. I used to be sick all the time because people would come to the library practically on their deathbed and share their germs.
It’s funny that you say to wash your hands as soon as you come in, because I totally do and I make my kids do it as well. You never know what’s lurking out there! At least at home you know what germs you have. 🙂 Lol. I’m going to try this elderberry thing this year… Thanks!
I do it pretty consistently. My kids, not so much.
I absolutely love fresh fruits and veggies, I try to incorporate them in every meal or snack. Oh, and sleep! I don’t know how people act like it isn’t a big deal or use the saying “ill sleep when I am dead.” Sleep is so important in recovery and building up your immune system.
Whenever I feel a cold coming on, even the slightest soreness in my throat I like to reach for emergen-c or airborne. I will have to look into that elderberry syrup/lozenges.
I love veggies, but I am horrible about eating any fruit except bananas in the winter. I need to work on that.
LOVE these!
I’m dependent on hot teas, vitamin c drinks, and lots of sleep to not get sick!
(also – I’m a Maryland blogger – would love to get on your blog roll!)
Ahh, sleep, the thing I never follow through on.
I’ll try to add you this week. If I forget, remind me.
Never heard of elderberry syrup but I will definitely be looking for it this season! Thanks for the tip!
I grew up eating elderberries in desserts, so using them for a cold is new to me, but I’ve heard good things.
I do not know about elderberry I need to check that out. I’ve always been a vitamin C person. I am all for washing hands and disinfection!
I resisted it for years, despite my mom’s insistence that it works. I’ll be using it anytime someone is sick this year.
I take probiotics. Even tho I’m a medical professional and completely science based, I really think that probiotics keep me healthy.
I do think probiotics help as well. Generally speaking, I’m pretty science based, but I do think that there are things that work that just haven’t been fully studied by science yet. So, I’ll continue with some of my not so science based stuff until I’m proved wrong. ;o)
Important to stay healthy. Getting enough sleep is my biggest hurdle right now. I know I need some more or its just a matter of time before it all breaks down.
Sleep is my weak point to. I just can’t seem to get it all done in one day.
excellent tips! we joined a winter CSA so are getting in all kinds of veggies this season 🙂
I keep wanting to join a CSA, but I have a lot of picky eaters in my house, so I’d end up having to figure out how to eat it all.