MNN - Mother Nature Network

Full disclosure: As I'm writing this, I am sitting beside my feverish 5-year-old, who has spent the better part of the morning puking into a bucket. So maybe I'm not the best person to ask about keeping your kids healthy for the holidays. But I'll tell you this: nothing makes you more vigilant about fending off germs and keeping the rest of your family healthy than when one of your brood gets sick. (Particularly when they get sick two days before Thanksgiving.) So I'm brushing up on my stay-healthy tips and thought it would be worth passing them along. 

 

 

1. Keep it to yourself. Sure the holidays are a time for sharing — but not when it comes to germs. If you're feeling under the weather, stay home and keep your germs to yourself. Your family may miss you, but they'll thank you when they don't have to take the rest of the week off sick from work and school.  

 

2. Wash, wash, wash. Even if everyone seems perfectly healthy at your holiday get-together, it's a good idea to wash your hands periodically throughout the day, particularly before you eat and after you use the restroom. You don't need chemical soaps or antiseptic wipes — regular soap and hot water will do the trick — and ensure that your hands stay clean and germ-free.

 

3. Eat healthy. Holiday foods are yummy, but not necessarily high in the vitamins and minerals you need to fend off germs.  Make it a priority to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and be sure to wash them down with plenty of water.

 

4. Get your Zzz's. If you're like most folks, you're probably busier than ever at the holidays, but that doesn't mean you should skimp on your sleep. Getting enough rest — generally 7 to 9 hours for the average adult — strengthens your immune system, boosts your energy, and makes you less vulnerable to stress.

 

5. Grab some fresh air. Shopping, holiday travel and family gatherings often leave little time for hanging outdoors. But a breath of fresh air may be just what you need to stay healthy — and sane — for the holidays.

 

Hope you have a happy, and healthy holiday season!