When it comes to celebrating Christmas, there’s no doubt that Filipinos like to go all out, whether the festivities involve families and friends. While parties were tempered down for a period of time, the outlook seems to be more positive this year and many people can enjoy the holidays together once more.

But does this mean we can let our guards down? Absolutely not. With all the traveling and interacting you might have to do, it’s crucial that your health remains in good shape at all times! Take note of these tips that’ll help you stay healthy during the holiday season:¹

1. Wash your hands. Handwashing can help lower your chances of getting sick as it assists in eliminating germs, viruses, and bacteria that may be in your hands. More importantly, this can help prevent the spread of illnesses to other people.² Remember these steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when it comes to washing hands:³
   1. Use clean and running water to wet your hands, turn off the tap, and apply soap.
   2. Rub your hands together with the soap to form lather. Make sure lather reaches the backs of your hands, between the fingers, and under your nails.
   3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds - that’s the equivalent of singing the “Happy Birthday song” twice. 
   4. Rinse your hands under clean and running water. 
   5. Use a clean towel or air dryer to dry your hands.
       
2. Try to get enough sleep: When you sleep your body produces proteins and white blood cells that help fight inflammation and lower your risk for certain diseases.⁵ Researchers have pointed out that a lack of sleep has also been implicated to various health issues, such as fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and weakened cognitive and safety-related performance, to name a very few.⁶
   
   As such, make sure to get at least seven or more hours of sleep each night, considered the ideal amount for adults.⁷

3. Choose healthy food: This can be easier said than done given the many food choices that can contain high amounts of fat, salt, or sugar.⁸ However, by paying close attention to your diet this holiday season, you can stay healthy. For starters, make sure to eat lots of low-calorie and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that can provide your body with lots of health benefits.⁹
   
   Don’t forget to drink lots of water as well. In fact, drinking a glass of water before you eat may be helpful in hydrating your body, “filling” your stomach up, and limiting potential instances of dehydration caused by excess sodium in food and/or drinks.¹⁰

4. Be mindful of portions: Weight gain can be common during the holidays given the amount of food people are eating, but one way to combat this would be through portion control.¹¹ Try to eat small snacks during the day and consume three medium-sized meals. This practice may help improve digestion and lessen your food consumption.¹²
   
   Meanwhile, if you’re at a buffet, try to use smaller plates instead, choose vegetables and eat them first, and eat slowly.¹³ In particular, the act of eating slowly may help give the stomach enough time to send signals to our brain indicating that you’re full.¹⁴

5. Sneak in some physical activity: Some physical activity may help burn the extra calories (or even fat) that you gained, provide you with extra energy, and aid in lessening holiday-related stress and tension.¹⁵
   
   Try going on a walk by yourself or with others after a meal, use the stairs instead of the elevator at buildings, or park your cars a bit farther away from your usual spot.¹⁶

For Good Health During the Holiday Season and Beyond!

This holiday season, make sure you’re in the best of health to enjoy it. For an added boost, take a supplement like dL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Pharex® E today. Together with proper diet and exercise, Pharex® E may help improve your health for the holiday season (and the months afterwards), as it contains 400 IU of dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate or Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is a known antioxidant that may help fight free radicals and the damage these may cause,¹⁷ shield the body against oxidative stress,¹⁸ aid in boosting cell health,¹⁹ and help promote better brain health and lower risk for its decline.²⁰

Ideally, take one capsule (400 IU) of Pharex E orally, once a day, or as prescribed by your doctor.

dL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) Pharex® E is available in leading drugstores nationwide, and online on Lazada and Shopee.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

¹Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 27, 2019
²Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 30, 2022
³Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 14, 2022
⁴Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 14, 2022
⁵UC Health, April 15, 2020
⁶Commun Biol 4, 1304 (2021)
⁷Mayo Clinic, May 15, 2021
⁸Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 27, 2019
⁹Children’s Health of Orange County, December 11, 2017
¹⁰UVM Health Network, November 19, 2021
¹¹Healthline, April 5, 2019
¹²Healthline, March 5, 2018
¹³Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 14, 2020
¹⁴Healthline, March 5, 2018
¹⁵VeryWell Fit, May 27, 2020
¹⁶UVM Health Network, November 19, 2021
¹⁷Frontiers of Pharmacology, 2018
¹⁸Sultan Qaboos University medical journal, 2014
¹⁹“Vitamin E,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
²⁰Nutrients, 2014