Staying healthy during the holidays

During the winter holidays, factors such as the special dates, change of schedules, and the cold, cause our routines and diet to change. Some of these changes are: eating late, eating more caloric foods, sleeping less during the night, among others. The holidays might be a good time to have fun and relax, but it isn't exactly a season where we take good care of our health.

As we all know, there are many temptations in the holiday season, which makes it more difficult to take care of yourself and maintain good eating habits. Here we'll give you the keys to stay healthy during the holidays:

• Stay hydrated: Your immune system needs you to be hydrated to stay healthy. The human body is made up of about 70% water, so it's no surprise that we need to be well hydrated to stay healthy. We must drink enough water so that the body can properly digest food, carry nutrients to our cells and get rid of substances it does not need.
• Get plenty of rest: Not getting enough sleep can have negative effects on our physical and mental health. Make sure you get enough sleep and maintain a healthy sleep schedule to enjoy the benefits of a good night's sleep. People who sleep less at night are more likely to be obese, develop diabetes, or other diseases. The amount of sleep you need depends on several factors, including your age, lifestyle, and health. In adults it is recommended to sleep 7 to 8 hours a day.
• Reduce stress: Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people. The holiday season often brings stress, sadness, anxiety, and depression. You may be feeling additional stress because your holiday plans are going to be different as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. In addition, the holidays often present a myriad of demands such as preparing meals, doing shopping, baking, cleaning, and entertaining, to name just a few. And if the coronavirus disease is spreading in your community, it is very normal that you worry about the possibility of getting sick or unknowingly infecting a loved one during these dates. So, in order to keep stress under control, plan ahead, make time for yourself, take a break, accept your feelings, stick with your healthy habits, and seek professional help if you need it.
• Eat healthy: Although during this time we allow ourselves to enjoy all the food we can eat, a healthy diet helps to protect us from malnutrition, as well as prevent diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol, among others. A correct, complete, and balanced diet allows our body to function normally. This way you will keep your immune system strong, improve your mood, have healthy skin, and improve your overall performance.
• Boost your immune system: Boosting your immune system can give you a head start on staying healthy. Some tips to strengthen it are: exercise regularly, get enough sleep, watch your diet, try to minimize stress, drink plenty of water, limit alcohol, and avoid tobacco.