Simple Wellness Tips for a Healthier Holiday Season

The holidays are a wonderful time to gather, celebrate, and reconnect—but they can also feel overwhelming. With travel, events, and full calendars, it’s easy for healthy routines to slip. The good news is that staying well doesn’t have to be complicated. A few intentional choices can help you enjoy the season with more energy, comfort, and peace of mind.

Mental Wellness

Nearly 79% of U.S. adults report feeling stressed during the holiday season, and more than half say it takes weeks to fully recover. With so much happening at once, it’s important to slow down and protect your emotional wellbeing. Remember—self-care isn’t selfish. Even small resets, like a 10-minute quiet walk, jotting down your thoughts, or kindly declining an extra commitment, can make a big impact. Consider setting simple boundaries too, such as avoiding work emails after dinner or choosing only one major outing per weekend.

Flu Wellness

Flu activity typically peaks between December and February, and last year alone brought over 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations, and 216 pediatric deaths. Despite that, only 43% of adults received a flu shot—so if you haven’t gotten yours yet, there’s still time. Getting vaccinated helps protect you and those most at risk, including children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with health conditions. Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for antibodies to build. And if symptoms do hit, antiviral medications like Tamiflu can reduce severity when started early.

Physical Wellness

Staying active supports your immune system, steadies your mood, and promotes better sleep—all especially helpful during a busy season. Simple movement like short indoor walks, morning stretches, or pacing during phone calls can add up. Try to keep meals regular, stay hydrated, and pack healthy snacks when you’re traveling. Protecting your sleep is key too: consider maintaining a consistent routine, drinking water before your morning coffee, and preparing for jet lag by adjusting your schedule gradually.

Wellness is truly a gift you can give yourself and the people you love. Small adjustments, practiced consistently, can lead to big benefits throughout the season. If you ever need support or have questions about staying healthy, don’t hesitate to connect with a health plan representative.

Wishing you a joyful, restful, and healthy holiday season.