12 Ways of Wellness

Way 1: Make Time for a Check-up

Now is a perfect time to make an appointment for your annual wellness check. Finish off this year — or start the next — by making your preventive care a priority. Call your primary care provider today to get started. Consistent preventive care can add years to your life. That’s a gift everyone would love.  

Learn more: The Importance of a Primary Care Provider 

Way 2: Light Up Your Walk

Bundle up and take a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood to see the holiday lights. All the sparkling can be good motivation and just might put an extra spring in your step. Walking is a great aerobic exercise and offers several health benefits. Buddy up with a walking partner or go with a group to make your time outside a fun and safe experience. 

Learn more: Winter Health Awareness: Keep Yourself Safe This Season 

Way 3: Make a Donation

We are in the season of giving, so it’s the perfect time to help those in need. Make a monetary gift, donate your time to a nonprofit organization in your community or collect gently used items to give to others in need. It feels good to give back! 

Learn more: Health Benefits of Giving Back and Volunteering

Way 4: Get Your Rest

Are all the holiday parties and endless errands exhausting you? Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Wind down by eating two to three hours prior to bed or meditate to relax your muscles. 

Learn more: The Importance of Sleep and How to Improve It

Way 5: Choose Smart Seasonal Snacks

There’s a lot of sugary, seasonal treats this time of year, which are great to enjoy. Just make sure to indulge your favorites mindfully and balance them out with other nutritional foods. Our Medical Mutual Wellness experts advise eating nutritious snacks to sustain your energy between meals. Plus, managing your sugar intake can benefit your overall health and wellness.   

Learn more: How Nutrition Plays a Key Role in Your Health

Way 6: Try a Healthy Holiday Recipe

The holiday season is filled with celebrations and special meals. You don’t have to miss those special occasions, but you can try to give some of your dishes a more healthful spin by substituting ingredients. Try bringing these roasted grape crostini as a holiday party appetizer. Or for a way to get your veggies in, try this tasty harvest bowl with beets. 

Way 7: Drink Up - Your Water

When you think of holiday beverages, water might not come to mind. Give your health a gift by making sure to get your daily intake of this simple elixir that’s vital to your health (every cell, tissue and organ needs water to work properly).  

Learn more: The Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Way 8: Be Kind

The holidays can be stressful and isolating for many people, so spread joy by giving the simple gift of kindness. Give your time to check in with a loved one or friend. Connect with stranger by striking up a friendly conversation. Something as simple as paying a compliment can make a big difference — even for the giver!

Learn more in the Mental Health section of the Medical Mutual blog.

Way 9: Give Gifts, Not Germs

The last thing you want to get this time of year is sick! Germ-related illnesses spread from person to person and can cause unpleasant symptoms. Practice ways to guard against germs to keep yourself and others safe. Routinely clean commonly touched surfaces, like door handles and countertops. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. And stay home if you’re feeling unwell. 

Learn more: Stop the Spread: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Germs

Way 10: Soak up the Sun

December includes the shortest day of the year. But you can still make it merry and bright by going outdoors to get some sunshine. Sunlight can boost your mood and ensure you’re getting enough vitamin D. Wintertime is primetime for seasonal affective disorder, too, so it’s important to get enough light. 

Learn more: Don’t Let Winter Get You Down

Way 11: Make Yourself a Priority

During this season, we spend so much of our time and energy taking care of others, making sure the holidays are special for them. Don’t forget to make time for yourself to do simple acts of self-care. Read a book, listen to a podcast or set aside time to exercise – whatever you choose to do, this is your time to enjoy! Self-care is important for your mental health and one of the best gifts you can give yourself. 

Get started: How to Refresh Your Self-Care Tool Kit

Way 12: Turn Off Your Screens

After making our holiday list and checking it twice, we need a few minutes to decompress. For an easy escape, we all love sitting in front of the TV or scrolling on our phones for an easy escape. However, giving your eyes a rest by being intentional with your screen time can reap a lot of benefits. What can you do instead? Put together a puzzle, host a game night or take a relaxing walk outside. Reminder: Parents can lead by example by modeling healthy screentime habits by staying off screens during these activities. 

Learn more: Keeping Screen Time in Check