5 Tips to Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

The holiday season is officially upon us, which means decorations are going up, gift exchanges are underway, and the calendar is suddenly filled with cookie swaps, family gatherings, and festive outings. It’s a joyful time—until an uninvited guest shows up: sickness.

Colds, flu, and other winter illnesses tend to make their way into holiday celebrations. And while sharing is a big part of the season, germs are one thing better left off the gift list. Here are five simple ways to stay healthy this holiday season—and help keep the people you care about healthy too.

1. Stay Home When You’re Sick (Seriously, Just Do It

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It sounds obvious, but it’s the tip most often ignored. No one wants to miss out on the fun, but powering through an illness can spread germs to people whose immune systems may not handle them as well as yours.

What feels like a minor cough to you could land someone else in the hospital—something my own family unfortunately learned last holiday season.

A day of rest might feel like a bummer, but it’s a small sacrifice that can protect someone else’s holiday from being ruined.

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2. Wash Your Hands Like It’s 2020 All Over Again

Remember those early-pandemic hygiene habits? Frequent handwashing, hand sanitizer everywhere, wiping down surfaces? It turns out…those things really helped.

Bring back the basics: scrub your hands often, especially before eating, after being out in public, or after handling shared items like serving utensils or gifts.

3. Make Space When You Need To

You don’t need to isolate in a bunker, but a little mindfulness goes a long way. If you’re feeling the start of a sniffle or tickle in your throat, keep a bit more distance, step back from big hugs, and maybe skip sitting shoulder-to-shoulder during that long board game.

Small adjustments can reduce the spread of germs without missing the whole event.

4. Keep Tissues, Sanitizer & Masks Handy

Think of them as your holiday essentials—right up there with wrapping paper and cookie tins.

Having supplies on hand makes it easy to be considerate. Cover a sneeze, sanitize after coughing, and if you aren’t feeling 100%, a mask can help protect the people around you (especially those who may be more vulnerable).

5. Prioritize Rest & Self-Care

The holidays are busy, chaotic, and full of late nights—but your immune system needs sleep to function. Make time for rest, stay hydrated, and try not to overload your schedule. A little balance now can help you avoid getting knocked off your feet later.

Keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy is one of the best gifts you can give this season. If that makes me sound a little like a Grinch, then fine—bah humbug. But a healthy holiday is a happier holiday for everyone.

Happy Holidays—and here’s to keeping our germs to ourselves.