It’s no surprise to most people that the holiday seasons often cause a spike in the common cold, flu and increased depression and anxiety. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple, natural preventative measures people can take to help boost their immune systems and keep their hormones more balanced. Today our health family care Bedford TX (as well as those at our Flower Mound and Benbrook locations) will be sharing the top five things you can do today to have a healthy holiday season.
1) Get Up to Date on Your Shots
In the past, we’ve written about the importance of scheduling regular visits with your primary care physician. One of the reasons for this is that it keeps our patients up to date on all their vaccines. Every stage of life has a different set of recommendations, and our team of health care specialists can see to it that everyone is set up for success through the holidays.
One shot that is recommended on an annual basis for youth and adults is the flu shot. This vaccine is especially helpful for preventing the spread of illness during the busy holiday season. Travel, stress and a full schedule can wear down a person’s immune system; don’t leave your body underequipped to fend off germs.
2) Spend Time in Nature
This next health tip almost seems too good to be true. However, research has proven that time spent outdoors is beneficial to general wellness and health. In specific studies, categories that saw a positive impact included the following:
- Mental distress
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Severe asthmatic attacks
3) Get High Quality Sleep
A lack of sleep will do more than just leave you tired. Poor sleep can lead to lower immunity as well as reduced ability to focus, depression, anxiety, poor decision making and more. Making good sleep hygiene a priority can have a dramatic impact on your health this holiday season.
If you want to learn more about how to improve your sleep, check out our post on 3 steps to better sleep quality.
4) Manage Your Stress
Stress can cause a myriad of issues if left unmanaged. It can cause digestion problems, chest pains, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, increased risk of heart attacks, insomnia, and headaches. As if that weren’t bad enough, that list doesn’t even begin to cover the impact stress has on mental health.
Our internal medicine Bedford TX team (as well as those in our Flower Mound and Benbrook locations) encourage patients to practice healthy stress management techniques. Some of the top was we recommend beginning to decrease stress levels are as follows:
- Journaling
- Counseling
- Getting 150 minutes of physical activity a week
- Spending consistent time enjoying a hobby or recreational activity
- Meditation
- Yoga
5) Eat the Rainbow
For centuries, people have found dozens of health benefits from the vitamins and minerals found in brightly colored fruits and vegetables. In today’s world, you can find these colorful sources of health by shopping around the perimeter of your grocery store. Most times this is where you will find fresh fruits and vegetables,
If you’re a fan of eating local produce, we encourage you to check in with your favorite produce manager at the nearest grocery store to see what is currently in season. You can also find high quality local fruits and vegetables at any farmer’s market.
For our local Texas friends, did you know that seasonal produce in the month of December includes all the following (and more):
- Pumpkins
- Apples
- Beets
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
Internal Medicine Bedford TX
At Your Family Medical, our core belief lies in that achieving optimal outcomes for our patients requires building a mutual partnership of trust, understanding and information, with our goal being to empower them with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve an optimal state of health and well-being.
