Christmas is just around the corner, a time for endless bonding with family and friends. Exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, unlimited food, and non-stop drinking are just some of the things we look forward to during Christmas celebrations. Sad to say but none of these are going to happen this year. Of course, you can still do these things with the people you are living with but if you want to travel and meet with people who are not within your pandemic pod then the CDC suggests considering their holiday travel guidelines before doing so.
Here are some tips on how to stay safe and healthy this Christmas:
Wash your hands as often as you can
Frequent hand washing helps in preventing germs from spreading. Aside from the presence of Covid-19, winter is the flu season and you can easily get infected if you are not careful. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and rinse your hands with clear running water.
Keep yourself warm and dry
If you are going out, bundle up with proper winter clothing. Wear a scarf, hat, boots, and gloves.
Take a break
If you are feeling depressed, overwhelmed, and stressed, take a break. Talk to someone, get support from family and friends through social media, phone call, and video chat.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is bad. Whether it's firsthand or secondhand smoking they both have the same harmful effect on your health. Smokers are more at risk to develop serious diseases than non-smokers.
Get screened and tested
You can consult your healthcare provider what screenings and tests you need to take. Ask when you should take the tests and don’t miss them.
Don’t miss your vaccinations
Vaccination is a safe and effective means of preventing diseases and saving lives. Anyone 6 months and above should get vaccinated before the flu season starts.
Eat right and exercise
Eat nutritious foods that can enhance your immunity. Add fruits, vegetables and herbs to your diet to improve your immune health.
Christmas this 2020 may not be celebrated the same way you usually do but this shouldn't stop you from having fun. Here are some ways on how to stay safe while celebrating Christmas:
- Continue doing traditions that you can do in the safety of your home like setting up decorations, giving gifts, and cooking a feast for the family.
- Shop for Christmas gifts and have them shipped to your family and friends. You may not be able to give it to them personally but you personally picked it for them.
- Since gathering in person is not advisable, you can have a virtual party via Zoom
- Binge watch on feel good Christmas movies.
- Wear matching Christmas outfits, take photos, and send them to your friends and family.
- Arrange a Christmas game night for the whole family.
- Have a video chat with Santa.
- Sing Christmas carols with the family. You can even have a contest on who sings best or worst.
- If it snows in your area, you can go ahead and build a snowman in your lawn.
Covid-19 is not going away soon and right now the safest way to spend Christmas is to stay home and celebrate with the people you live with. In person gatherings and travelling with friends and family outside of your bubble increases the chances of you getting infected or spreading Covid-19. So stay home. Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas!
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