Holiday Health

Smart advice from Dr. Aron on enjoying your holidays safely this year.

This article is a summary, download the full PDF version. [⤓] © weightlossnyc.com

Three W’s

⧉ Three things to consider to keep your holidays safe this season — the three W’s

• WEAR a mask
• WASH your hands
• WATCH your distance

Wear a mask

Choose a mask with two or more layers, to protect yourself and others from covid-19. Wear it over your nose and under your chin, with the side also snug on your face. You want to limit exposure of air in either direction between you and others.

Avoid touching the mask as well as other parts of your face (eyes, nose, mouth) with your fingers.

If using a reusable mask, you must properly wash it between uses. If disposible, please discard appropriately.

Wash your hands

Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If handwashing not available, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol, and carry with you.

Allow hand sanitizer to dry on your hands, do not wipe it off. You want to allow the alcohol to absorb into your skin.

Watch your distance

Keep at least 6 feet (two arm lengths) away from people who do not live in your household. Even people without symptoms can be infectious.

Likewise be extremely mindful of those at highest risk of illness, for their safety give them space.

Virtual Family

⧉ Household members are those in your home consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of covid-19

Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses the lowest risk for spread. Your household is anyone who currently lives and shares common spaces in your house or apartment … family members, roommates or people who are unrelated to you.

People who do not currently live in your home, such as college students returning home from school for the holidays, should be considered part of different households.

In-person gatherings that bring together family members or friends from different households pose varying levels of risk.

Holiday Plans

Ho-ho-host

⧉ Communicate with guests in advance to manage expectations for your event.

Consider scaling down your gathering, limiting to those within your home and remote video with others if available.

If you must entertain, have a small outdoor meal, and limit duration to minimize exposure. Have people wear masks when not eating, and be seated in household groups 6 feet apart.

If indoors, keep windows open, or central ventilation on, including bathroom fans, to keep air circulating.

⧉ Exposure is cumulative — consider repeated shorter exposures equal to one larger event

Create “new traditions”

⧉ Use this experience to create new special memories instead of lamenting loss of old ones.

Consider some new themes:

• Share virtual meals with others, and share recipes and dishes each have prepared.
• Prepare meal items to share with others and hand-deliver on their porch or doorstep to avoid mutual exposure.
• Enjoy holiday parades, sports and movies online. Find group games and activities to play together.
• Create a gratitude journal or scrapbook for all to share what they are thankful for and other well wishes of good times past, present and future.
• Virtual shopping and sales are a nice post party perk. Choose contactless options, delivery or curbside pickup.

Wrap it up

⧉ Keep the holiday gatherings simple this year

Feel free to branch out to new experiences and appreciate the spirit of the celebration with new traditions

Be mindful of the risks of travel for you or others coming to visit you. Exposure is cumulative — consider repeated shorter exposures equal to one larger event.

Most of all, enjoy yourself and live to celebrate another day.

Medical Weight Loss Doctor

Dr Oksana Aron is a bariatric physician &mdash specialist in the field of medical weight loss. Schedule a consultation with her at WeightLossNYC.com if you are seeking to lose weight to improve your health and wellness.

Article does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. Content designed to support, not replace, medical or other treatment.

Labels: family, health, holiday, wellness