The holidays are an exciting time to visit with friends and family, enjoy favorite traditions, and celebrate the change from one year to the next. While joining in all the festivities, remember these quick tips to keep you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and full of holiday cheer. 

1. Follow Public Health Guidelines for COVID-19

Sharing holiday traditions with loved ones is what helps make the season so special, but it’s important to celebrate with caution in mind while we’re still battling the pandemic. Help keep you and your loved ones safe by following these public health guidelines: 

• Get vaccinated if you’re eligible, especially if you’ll be gathering with the elderly, young children, the immunocompromised or unvaccinated people. 
• Consider a well-fitted mask during indoor gatherings mandatory if you are not vaccinated. If you are vaccinated but celebrating in high transmission areas, still consider wearing a mask.
• Opt for an outdoor celebration if possible -- Christmas lights and hot chocolate around a bonfire could be a fun and cozy alternative! 
• If you are sick or have symptoms, do NOT attend a gathering. 
• Get tested if you have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19.

2. Enjoy Holiday Sweets & Treats in Moderation

It’s always a favorite tradition to indulge in holiday goodies like frosted sugar cookies, creamy cheesecake and Christmas fudge. The key to doing this the healthy way? Moderation. 

We’re certainly not recommending cutting out treats altogether. We are hoping for “happy” holidays, after all! Keep your meals balanced, don’t slack on fruits and vegetables and savor a seasonal treat here and there. 

3. Drink Responsibly

Like high-sugar foods, alcohol also tends to be consumed more frequently during the holidays. Seasonal cocktails often accompany family dinners, work parties, and get-togethers with friends. Stay mindful about your consumption and try not to overindulge.

Alongside moderating your intake, other healthy drinking essentials include making sure to stay hydrated, and arranging for a designated driver or a place to stay if you plan on having a few cocktails. 

4. Stay Active 

During the holidays, exercise usually gets pushed toward the bottom of the priority list. It’s cold out there, sunlight is scarce, and we’re so busy! Rather than making it a New Year’s resolution to go to the gym come January, consider how to be active now. 

Even while our schedules are filling up with holiday plans, these activities can be a great way to stay active and healthy:

• Go sledding with the family! Don’t underestimate the workout of trudging through snow up a sledding hill a few times, and the payoff is genuinely fun. 
• Rather than driving around to see the Christmas lights, consider bundling up and going for a lighted walk or jog through town. Plowed sidewalks in your local neighborhood make for a great path to follow while you check out all the Christmas decor. 
• If you’d prefer to stay indoors, try an at-home workout with some classic Christmas music. This fun circuit will have you running through 12 different exercise moves while singing along to “The 12 Days of Christmas.”

5. Give Healthy Holiday Gifts 

Challenge yourself to be a creative and healthy-minded gift giver this season! Here’s a list of some healthy gift ideas to get you started: 

• Calm App One-Year Subscription: Meditation is proven to help reduce stress levels. Help your family member or friend relieve some stress, not just this season but throughout the coming year. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving! 
• Try giving the gift of a unique exercise class, such as pilates, salsa dancing, boxing, or rock climbing, as a one-time introductory experience or a limited membership. The more unique, the more fun they’ll have!
• Broaden your idea of “healthy living.” Brain health, anyone? A goodie basket full of mind puzzles, adult coloring books, or sudoku and crossword puzzle books can be an easy and affordable gift to put together, especially for seniors. 
• Inspire an interest in eating well by giving food-related gifts, such as healthy cookbooks, enrollment in an in-person or virtual cooking class, or a gift card to a local market that provides sustainably-sourced foods.

Equipped with these tips, may we all enjoy healthier and happier holidays this season! 

When you truly want to make sure you and your employees have the absolute best in supportive coverage for your medical care, apply for HealthChoice of Michigan’s small business program for the coverage you need!