Survival Guide For A Healthy Holiday Season

Tis’ the season to be jolly! With the holiday time officially upon us many of us are getting ready to prepare by decorating our homes, getting together with our loved ones, and budgeting for all the fun in between. And while the season of celebrations can be joyful for some, it can be difficult and hectic for others, especially under the current circumstances. 

Aside from all the preparation that comes with the holiday season, there’s also an ongoing global pandemic at hand that’s been anything but easy for us to deal with. From socially distancing ourselves to self-quarantining, there’s no denying that the coronavirus has been hard on all of us. And now, with the holiday season finally here, staying healthy and happy throughout these unprecedented times can be even more challenging. But what if it didn’t have to be? 

Although we’re living in a time of uncertainty, there is no reason to let your health and happiness fall by the wayside. There’s no time like the present to make yourself a priority. To learn how, follow this survival guide for a healthy holiday season!

1. Embrace holiday shopping online 

Given the current situation, shopping online has been the new frontier for people stuck at home for the time being. Because of this, retail stores and other businesses are turning to their online platforms to make up for any COVID-19-related business restrictions and lost revenue they’ve experienced. 

For this reason, you can basically find anything you’re looking for online, and at a discounted price! So, instead of throwing on a mask and exposing yourself to any potential COVID-19 germs, embrace holiday shopping online. Doing so will allow you to effectively keep track of your expenses and save you the hassle of having to deal with the chaos that is holiday shopping.

Plus, unlike other years of scoping out the best holiday deals, finding what you’re looking for, for the best price has never been so simple. Most stores are extending their Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as part of their effort to remain affordable and open throughout the pandemic, meaning you’re more likely to get a bang for your buck and stay healthy throughout the holidays! What more can you ask for?

2. Tend to your skin

Between the overconsumption of sugary holiday foods, a lack of financial planning, changes in the environmental conditions, and other holiday-related stressors, your skin can be extremely vulnerable this time of year. Because of this, you may notice changes in your skin’s health, such as acne for example.

That being said, it’s critical to give your skin some extra TLC throughout the holiday season and be mindful of your lifestyle choices. Eating too many sweets, over exfoliating your skin, and/or high-levels of stress can all be attributed to acne during this time, so make sure to be deliberate with your daily tasks and skincare routine so that you can better manage the state of your skin. 

If you continue to experience skin issues like acne, consider seeking support from an online dermatologist. Conveniently available and equally as beneficial, these online healthcare professionals make it easy for you to address your skincare concerns and receive a customized acne cream or another skincare prescription all from the comfort of your own home (if and when applicable). 

3. Budget ahead of time

Getting your finances in order is a pivotal part of staying healthy and happy during the holiday season. Financial wealth plays a huge role in ideal holiday health as it concerns family well-being, seasonal savings, and of course, holiday gift giving. That’s why it’s critical to budget ahead of time to ensure you’re financially stable as you move from one yearly celebration to another. 

Luckily, it’s not too late to get your finances in order! You can determine and create your own holiday budget by first setting a spending limit, listing out your expenses, and then prioritizing them in order of importance. From there, you can then allocate your funds and adjust your numbers where you see best fit so that you know exactly how much you have to save before you can spend. Then, all you have to do after that is keep track month-to-month!

Easier said than done, setting and sticking to your holiday budget can be better managed with the help of an online financial advisor. They can work with you to determine a practical budget based on your income and normal monthly expenses. Or, you can use a free budgeting tool like Mint to figure out your specific financial numbers and monitor them accordingly. 

4. Stay connected with your loved ones

Even though your friends and family members may be out of reach for the time being, that doesn’t mean that all of you should spend the holidays alone! Staying connected with your loved ones is crucial for celebrating the holidays the right way and getting that sense of “togetherness” we all long for during this time of year. 

No matter how close or far away you and your loved ones live from each other, it’s important to keep up with one and other. Luckily, living in the era of digital technology makes it practically effortless to stay connected with each other, regardless of the amount of miles that sets you apart.

It doesn’t matter which method you use to communicate— a traditional phone call, Facetime, Google Hangouts, Zoom— there are endless routes you can take to remain in virtual contact with those you love most. This holiday season, remember to check in with everyone. Whether it’s a one on one chat with a friend, or a large group call with your family, make a point to reach out and spread love. After all, isn’t that what this season is all about?

Happy (healthy) holidays to all, and to all a lovely celebratory season full of magic!