The 9 Biggest Holiday Health Issues and How They Can Be Avoided

By Stacy Lloyd HERWriter

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The 9 Biggest Holiday Health Issues and How to Avoid Them

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Typically, we all want to spend the holidays in all forms of celebration. Who doesn't want times filled with good cheer and good food with good friends and family?

Unfortunately, even during the holiday season, health issues can arise despite the best-laid plans, with the best of companions, and in the most festive of environments.

Here are nine of the biggest health issues during the holidays, and tips on how you can avoid them:

1) Gaining weight

Try to eat responsibly and track your food intake. Make time for exercise. For holiday parties, have an eating plan and stick with it. Limit yourself to two cocktails.

2) Choking

Health.com reported that “according to the National Safety Council, nearly 3,000 people in the United States die each year from choking.”

The holidays tend to be centered around food and meals. Remember to take small bites. Completely chew your food, and try to stay focused while eating. Watch kids so they don’t choke on food, toys or other foreign objects.

3) Children in accidents

The holidays are a busy time for both adults and children. With so much going on, it can be easy to overlook things. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that we keep potentially dangerous toys, household items, and other objects out of kids' reach. Read instructions to ensure new (and old) toys are used the right way.

4) Drinking too much alcohol

The holidays are a time to celebrate but setting a two drink limit at parties will help you avoid hangovers and more.

5) Car accidents

Too much celebrating can unfortunately lead to car accidents during the holiday season. Don’t drink and drive. Take a car service. And always buckle up.

6) Getting sick

Holiday gatherings and social functions can bring out all types of germs and bacteria. The CDC said, “keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”

To ensure your hands are clean, wash them frequently and scrub them with soap for at least 20 to 30 seconds. Also make sure your children have up-to-date vaccinations. Have the entire family get a yearly flu shot.

7) Decorating and other household accidents

It happens. People get hurt putting up holiday décor and the like. Forbes.com reported that the “Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated there were 15,000 holiday-related accidents during November and December 2014.”

Be smart. Use a ladder or step stool. Don’t do it alone.

8) Highstress levels

Overcommitting and overspending can cause high levels of stress even in normally calm people. Realize that you don’t have to say yes to every party. Set and stick to spending limits. Remember the true spirit of the holidays.

9) Food poisoning

To keep you and your holiday guests free from foodborne illnesses, the CDC advised to wash both your hands and cooking surfaces in the kitchen often. Use soap or a strong cleaning product.

Raw meat and eggs need to be kept apart from already prepared food. Thoroughly clean any surfaces that had raw meat on them. Use an oven thermometer to make sure food is cooked to the correct temperature. When it comes to perishable foods, two hours is the max that they can be kept out of the refrigerator.

Sources:

"14 Holiday Health Hazards to Avoid." Health.com. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306979,00.html

Hayashi, Yuki. "7 Holiday Health Hazards (and How to Avoid Them!)." 7 Holiday Health Hazards (and How to Avoid Them!). Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/health/7-common-holiday-hazards-and-how-to-avoid-them

"Holiday Health and Safety Tips." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Dec. 2014. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/family/holiday

Walton, Alice G. "The 12 Health Risks Of Christmas (And How To Cope With Them)." Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2013/12/18/the-12-dangers-of-christmas-and-how-to-cope-with-them

Reviewed November 13, 2015
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.