Healthy Holiday Tips
by Joan Trombetti, Writer | December 18, 2007
Start those resolutions early
Tis the season to give thanks, celebrate and pay special attention to your health. The following is a gift to give everyone you know and love - the gift of health and safety tips for the holidays.
Clean hands save lives so wash your hands often, especially when cooking. It's one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.
Make sure everyone is dressed warmly. Indoor and outdoor temperatures that are dangerously cold can cause serious (even deadly) consequences when it comes to your health, particularly in infants and older adults.
No one needs stress during the holiday season so try balancing work, home and play, develop a support network of family and friends, practice time management, do relaxation exercises and keep a positive attitude. Do not over-commit or over-spend.
Think safety if you're traveling. Don't drink and drive - Alcohol related injuries occur every 31 minutes and non fatal injuries occur about every two minutes. Always wear a seatbelt and always buckle a child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat or seat belt - according to the child's height, weight and age. Don't drive in low visibility conditions or on ice covered roads.
If you smoke, quit now - what better way to start the holidays and a brand new year? Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, seek counseling, medications and anything else that might work for you.
Start the holidays off right by getting a check-up and vaccinations. Exams will find problems early, when they are easier to treat. Vaccinations will prevent infectious diseases.
Keep a watchful eye on children. There are many distractions during the holidays - trees, candles, different foods and treats, etc. Children are vulnerable to accidents, injuries and falls that can be deadly.
Keep a watchful eye on yourself. Many adult injuries occur during the holiday season including falls from ladders, roofs, furniture, stairs and porches. Fires occur more frequently during the winter months, and cooking is the primary cause of residential fires (while smoking is the leading cause of residential fire-related deaths). Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order and in every room. Injuries from falls, fires, and fireworks often occur around the holidays. The majority of holiday-decorating falls are from ladders, roofs, furniture, stairs, and porches.
Eat healthy and stay active during the holidays and most of all ENJOY!
Clean hands save lives so wash your hands often, especially when cooking. It's one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs.
Make sure everyone is dressed warmly. Indoor and outdoor temperatures that are dangerously cold can cause serious (even deadly) consequences when it comes to your health, particularly in infants and older adults.
No one needs stress during the holiday season so try balancing work, home and play, develop a support network of family and friends, practice time management, do relaxation exercises and keep a positive attitude. Do not over-commit or over-spend.
Think safety if you're traveling. Don't drink and drive - Alcohol related injuries occur every 31 minutes and non fatal injuries occur about every two minutes. Always wear a seatbelt and always buckle a child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat or seat belt - according to the child's height, weight and age. Don't drive in low visibility conditions or on ice covered roads.
If you smoke, quit now - what better way to start the holidays and a brand new year? Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, seek counseling, medications and anything else that might work for you.
Start the holidays off right by getting a check-up and vaccinations. Exams will find problems early, when they are easier to treat. Vaccinations will prevent infectious diseases.
Keep a watchful eye on children. There are many distractions during the holidays - trees, candles, different foods and treats, etc. Children are vulnerable to accidents, injuries and falls that can be deadly.
Keep a watchful eye on yourself. Many adult injuries occur during the holiday season including falls from ladders, roofs, furniture, stairs and porches. Fires occur more frequently during the winter months, and cooking is the primary cause of residential fires (while smoking is the leading cause of residential fire-related deaths). Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order and in every room. Injuries from falls, fires, and fireworks often occur around the holidays. The majority of holiday-decorating falls are from ladders, roofs, furniture, stairs, and porches.
Eat healthy and stay active during the holidays and most of all ENJOY!
