With Thanksgiving past and the December holidays almost upon us, this is the time of year that people start looking forward to spending time with family and friends, traveling, and enjoying seasonal treats. These health tips will help ensure that your holiday season is merry and that you’ll come back from the break more rejuvenated that ever.

1. Wash hands frequently – During the holidays we interact with friends and relatives that we don’t often see, making it more important than ever to wash regularly to prevent germs from spreading.
2. Get vaccinated – Since the holidays intersect directly with the flu season, it’s also a good idea to get a flu shot and make sure all your vaccinations are up to date.
3. Eat healthy – There is no shortage of tasty temptation during the holidays, making it especially import to eat sugary and fatty foods in moderation.
4. Stay active – It’s also tempting to lounge around on the couch, but you’ll feel much better if you make an effort to get exercise on daily basis. Take the opportunity to catch up with your family over a brisk walk!
5. Get smoke free for 2010 – Quitting smoking is a highly popular New Year’s resolution. Really any time is a great time to quit, but why not make 2010 a smoke free year?
6. Control stress – Entertaining friends and family, preparing meals, and shopping for gifts can be extremely stressful, making it important to keep things in perspective and maintain control when you feel overwhelmed.
7. Get a good nights sleep – All the measures you take to stay healthy will only be increased by getting the proper amount of sleep.
8. Drink responsibly – The holidays is a popular time for parties and other festivities, so make sure you consume alcohol moderately and in a safe environment.
9. Avoid overexertion – Between shopping, setting up trees and decorations, preparing meals, shoveling snow, and more, the holidays can be a strenuous time. Be careful not to overexert yourself and not to allow others (particularly the elderly) to overexert themselves.
10. Stay hydrated – As always, it’s important to stay hydrated by consuming the amount of water your body needs each day. With the bustle of the holidays this can be easy to neglect so make sure to carry water with you and drink frequently.