1. Make immune health a priority
With the increased holiday stress, sugary foods, being around sick coworkers and family members, and fluctuating weather patterns, the holidays are practically an invitation for colds and the flu. Nobody wants to be sick and that goes doubly so during the holidays. Some strategies to strengthen your immune system include:
- Learn how to maintain your immunity even if everyone around you is coughing, sneezing, or calling in sick to work.
- Our Daily Defense provides a synergistic blend of nutrients to boost your immune system.
- Our Immune Boosting Smoothie recipe keeps you full, focused, and steering clear of whatever bug might be going around your office.
2. Watch the alcohol
Drinking too much makes you more prone to make bad eating decisions, but research also shows over-consuming alcohol can adversely impact your immune system. So can too much sugar, which makes those sweet cocktails a double whammy for getting sick. Instead of alcohol, consider sipping on a mineral water or club soda with lime. It’s a refreshing alternative that will also keep you well hydrated.
3. Delegate responsibilities
Juggling work, gift buying, cooking, and all the many tasks holidays demand sometimes mean you take on more than you can handle. Ask for help. This might involve requesting your children to help set the Thanksgiving table or prepare specific foods; hiring an assistant for the holidays; getting your significant other involved in gift wrapping; or creating a potluck dinner that asks everyone to bring their favorite healthy Christmas recipes.
4. Prioritize exercise
That feeling after a good workout actually is in your head. Exercise can boost endorphins as well as feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, making it the perfect holiday stress buster. Conversely, research shows that stress impairs physical activity. Getting sidetracked and blowing off your workout can seem easy during the holidays. Knock it out early in the day whenever possible before obligations sidetrack you. Time isn’t an excuse with our high-intensity workouts. Try creating a simple, powerful workout plan that’s just 12 minutes a day with.
5. Improve your sleep
Stress and sleep feed off each other. Too little sleep can leave you stressed out over things that wouldn’t normally bother you, and stressing out before bed can impede quality sleep. Create a sleep ritual where you shut off electronics an hour or two before bed, take a hot bath, and create ways to unwind. Consider a supplement to help you safely fall and stay asleep. If you find stress keeps you awake, keep a journal by your bed and write down your worries. They’ll still be there when you get up, but you’ll be better equipped to handle them with a good night’s sleep.
