The holidays are nearly upon us! This season is a great opportunity to reflect on what is truly important in life and to be grateful for the many things we often take for granted, including the gift of health. This year, protect your health by considering the following tips:
- Keep warm in winter weather. It can get cold during this time of year, so remember to stay dry and bundle up to avoid illness.
- Travel safely. Car accidents tend to increase around the holidays for several reasons, including increased traffic, inclement weather, and higher incidences of intoxicated driving. Remember never to drink and drive, or allow others to drink and drive. Wear your seatbelt and ensure that children are properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.
- Keep a handle on your stress. The holidays are a time for joy, not stress. Manage your stress level by ensuring that you are getting enough sleep, that you are keeping your commitments and spending in check, and that you are making efforts to keep a positive and relaxed outlook.
- Wash your hands frequently. Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to halt the spread of germs. Use a tissue if you feel the urge to cough or sneeze to avoid spreading germs to your hands.
- Give up smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. Commit to starting 2016 smoke-free to improve your health and the health of your family.
- Prepare food safely. When preparing your holiday meals, keep your family safe from foodborne illness. Ensure that hands are washed with soap and water before handling food. Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw meats, seafood, poultry, and eggs away from other foods and sanitize your surfaces after contact. Keep a thermometer handy to test the internal temperature of cooked foods, and remember to wrap and refrigerate any leftovers promptly.
- Eat right and get active. Moderating your intake of sugary, salty, and fatty foods goes a long way in helping to maintain a healthy body weight. Try to aim for at least 2.5 hours per week of physical activity.
- Make regular physicals part of your health routine. As part of your New Year’s health resolution, schedule a physical! Yearly checkups are an effective way to find any correct any potential issues early before they turn into major problems. As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Diamond Physicians wishes you a joyous holiday and a happy, healthy New Year!
To learn about membership plans or to schedule an appointment with one of our Dallas concierge doctors, please contact us at (214) 382-0730.