It's Holiday Season... got tissues?

There’s an elephant in the room. No one wants to talk about germs, as if the mere mention of colds and flu makes us more vulnerable. But ever notice how many people start sneezing and hacking as the holidays roll around? Ho, ho, h—achu! That elephant’s looking awfully pale.

“The holidays are a virus distribution system,” explains Dr. William Schaffner, chair of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University. “They help us distribute influenza and other common cold viruses from person to person because of close contact.”

This is the time flu season peaks — thriving in the colder weather and the tight proximity of people. From crowded shopping malls to holiday parties, movies, and shows, we take sharing to a whole new level: door handles, clothing racks, airborne particles, food, and holiday hugs. Add a shift toward indoor activities and closed windows, and yikes.

Not to worry! Take a deep breath (you may want to crack a window first). With a little proactive awareness, you can put the tissues away and enjoy this season with the energy and good health it — and you — deserve. Here are a few tips for staying well through the holidays and beyond.

Just say yes to healthy holidays

• Hands off your face — most of us touch our faces all day without noticing. Whether we rub an itchy nose, pick a tooth, or fix a makeup smudge, fingers on faces make us our own disease promoters — it’s the easiest way to move germs to more vulnerable spots like the mucus membranes.
• Wash your hands often — public health officials will back me up on this one. Wash. Really. And when you can’t, use an antibacterial gel. This is a great time of year to keep a bottle in the car (I don’t even want to think about all those hands on the gas pump). To keep your skin from drying out, moisturize with a natural lotion.
• Don’t share utensils — a sip or taste from someone else’s glass or dish is a personal choice, but keep in mind we’re often contagious a few days before any symptoms appear. Saying no to shared drinks and utensils lowers your chances of getting sick.
• Hydrate — we often forget to drink enough when we’re busy, yet dehydration lowers immunity and leaves us feeling lousy. Drink plenty of water through the day. Warm water with lemon is a lovely hydration treat that keeps the lymphatic system active.
• Move — a personal favorite. Stagnation is an open invitation to eager germs, so fold something active into your routine: Pilates, yoga, brisk walks. Leave hibernation to the bears.
• Sleep well — sleep is when our bodies heal, replenish, and revive. Don’t cheat yourself. We need it to strengthen our minds, bodies, and immune systems — sleep deprivation leaves us vulnerable to illness. Sweet dreams!
• Eat healthy — I cannot say enough about choosing local, natural foods to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and feel your best. Clean eating helps you reach and hold your best health, and it isn’t a dramatic change to make — which is exactly why it tends to last.

Enjoy the magic of this holiday season. May your homes and hearts be filled with health and happiness… and may you only need tissues for those tear-jerking holiday movies. They get me every time!