Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/592245
THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND TOGETHERNESS, BUT ENDLESS TO-DO LISTS CAN DAMPEN YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND EVEN AFFECT YOUR HEALTH. USE OUR HEALTHY holiday checklist to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. FOR YOUR BODY ✳ Get your daily dose of vitamin D. Shorter days and longer nights can contribute to winter blues. Take a brisk outdoor walk during the warmest part of the day to get a much-needed dose of sunshine. ✳ Make your diet super. Instead of reaching for holiday treats, fill your plate with nutrient-rich berries, dark leafy greens, eggs, nuts, and yogurt. According to Kelly Lauscher, 3D Community Health: Body.Mind.Spirit Health Educator at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital, these and other superfoods can give your immunity a boost. ✳ Remember to hydrate. Even though it's cold outside, you still need to drink at least 64 ounces of fluids each day. ✳ Watch out for germs. When navigating crowded restaurants and shopping malls, wash your hands frequently and carry wipes to sanitize shared surfaces, such as the handle of your grocery cart. Get your flu shot, and make time for seven or eight hours of restorative nightly sleep. FOR YOUR MIND ✳ Lower your expectations. Don't strive for perfection during holiday gatherings— simply focus on spending quality time with family and friends. ✳ Minimize financial stress. "When you're worried about spending, it's harder to focus on the meaning behind your gifts," Lauscher says. "Rather than buying a gift for all of your friends, neighbors or coworkers, suggest a gift exchange or group gift. Start a new tradition by giving the gift of your time such as collecting food for the local food pantry or shoveling a neighbor's driveway. The gift of your time or experience is more valuable than an actual gift itself." ✳ Set aside time for yourself. Whether you're taking a walk, listening to Christmas music, or burning a scented candle, let winter's simple pleasures fill you with joy. FOR YOUR SPIRIT ✳ Don't forget the reason for the season. No matter what your faith or beliefs, make time to reflect on what the holidays mean to you and your family. ✳ Help provide a happy holiday for those in need. Participate in a local food drive or sponsor a name from a holiday giving tree. ✳ Volunteer. Start a new family tradition by visiting a nursing home, serving a hot meal at a homeless shelter, or caring for pets at a local animal shelter. TIPS FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY HOLIDAY 10 For more wellness tips, visit sacredhearteauclaire.org and select "3D Community Health: Body.Mind.Spirit" under the "A Healthy You" tab. "The holidays are a festive time to enjoy traditions, but they can also be hectic, especially for busy families. Remember, you can't properly care for your family unless you care for yourself. Your body, mind, and spirit are all connected. To achieve total wellness, you must nurture every aspect of your health." —Kelly Lauscher, 3D Community Health: Body.Mind.Spirit Health Educator 1 5 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G