The holidays are a very busy time for most people. With the hustle and bustle of social events, gift buying, and traveling, taking care of your health gets pushed to the wayside of all of the festivities. These are some ideas that should help you keep healthier this holiday season.
Make Healthy Food ChoicesÂ
From rich meals to tempting and tasty homemade snacks, the holidays are a time for many to indulge in food — or overindulge. Try to plan meals with other events in mind. For example, if a big dinner is planned for New Year’s Eve, consider serving a lighter lunch of salad or soup. “You don’t want to deny anyone of the food they like to eat at this time of year, but you don’t want anyone to gorge themselves, either.”
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water is one way you can stay healthy during the holidays. “Senior citizens, especially, need to drink plenty of fluids, as not drinking enough water could cause hospitalization.” To make it easier to stay hydrated, have water easily accessible at home and keep bottled water in a purse or bag when running errands.
Follow Any Dietary Restrictions You May Have
Some seniors must follow special diets, such as one that is low in sodium. It can be difficult to adhere to a diet during busy, stressful times, especially if there aren’t any healthy options available. “When people get stressed, they tend to overeat and don’t stick to their diets.” To make it easier to follow dietary guidelines, keep healthy options like fresh-cut vegetables and fruit on hand.
Consume Alcohol in Moderation
“Drinking too much can impair functions, and for some senior citizens, drinking alcohol with certain medications can have adverse side effects.” Consider offering fun, alcohol-free drinks so everyone can celebrate the holidays.
Continue Exercising
In many parts of the country, the holidays are synonymous with cold weather and snow. To stick to an exercise schedule, bundle up and invite your friends for a walk around the block if the sidewalks are dry. If it’s snowing or icy outside, drive to an indoor shopping mall and walk a few laps while window-shopping.
Rest After Travel
For some seniors, the holidays are a time to travel long distances to visit family and friends. Whether they travel by car, rail or plane, keep in mind that an older relative might want to rest upon arrival.Try offering the options of watching television or taking a nap instead of planning a day of shopping and visiting.
Our information from today’s blog post was found at: Care.com