Have a Healthy Holiday Season with These Tips from Innovation Health

By Dr. Sunil Budhrani, Chief Medical Officer & Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Innovation Health

The holidays are upon us, and while it’s easy to get caught up in trimming the tree or baking cookies for Santa, it’s still important to focus on your health.

Staying healthy during the holidays requires preparation above all else. To make sure you don’t end up missing out on all the festive fun, follow these three tips from Innovation Health for a happy, healthy holiday season.

Up on the rooftop, please don't fall! Be prepared for holiday mishaps: From slips on ladders to kitchen disasters, as a doctor trained in emergency medicine I've seen my fair share of holiday accidents. Instead of going directly to your ER, you might want to consider heading to a local urgent care clinic where many non-life-threatening accidents can be treated. A trip there will almost always be more affordable than a trip to the ER. This holiday season, take a few minutes to locate the urgent care center nearest you here and familiarize yourself with where the nearest emergency room is in the event of an emergency medical condition

Make a holiday health list and check it twice: This time of year can take a toll on your immune system. From holiday travels to office holiday parties, December can be a stressful month! To stay healthy, I recommend making a holiday health list that includes washing your hands often, getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water and planning healthy meals. And while you and your family are outside catching snowflakes on your noses, make sure you’re bundled up to keep from catching a cold. Don’t worry if you can’t check off every item on your health to do list in one day. Aim to hit one or two of them, and before you know it those holiday habits will become a part of your daily routine.

Know how to handle the holiday blues: This time of year can be difficult for many people. If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder. Learn about the symptoms and treatment options for seasonal affective disorder here, and take time to learn more about the mental health resources available to you in our community.

As we make our way through the holiday season, keeping these health tips in mind can help ensure you aren’t sidelined and can fully enjoy time with your family and friends.

On behalf of everyone at Innovation Health, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season!