While the holidays may be different for many of us this year, one thing should remain constant: staying healthy in the midst of celebrations with family and friends. Allow a little holiday indulgence, but be sure to stay on track with your health goals by following these tips from AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers:
Keep celebrations intimate but meaningful. The pandemic has been a stressful and isolating time for all of us, and the holidays will be the perfect opportunity for us to reconnect with our loved ones. If you’re planning the festivities, consider making gatherings small to allow enough room for social distancing. Try to avoid guests who have travelled and have not observed the 14-day quarantine period. Also keep in mind guests who are at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 like older adults and people with certain medical conditions.
Strictly implement COVID-19 safety protocols. Even as you enjoy the company of your loved ones or friends, do not forget to practice safety protocols to help keep everyone safe from the virus. Have guests disinfect as soon as they enter your home and ask them to thoroughly wash their hands, especially before eating. Encourage everyone to wear their face masks at all times and only remove them while eating, and to strictly observe physical distancing of at least one meter away from the person next to you.
Drink responsibly. Holiday celebrations are a time when people are most likely drinking beyond their limits. Some might feel adverse effects like erratic heartbeat due to alcohol intoxication or a terrible hangover. Alcoholic drinks are also usually empty calories and may lead you to make poor food choices. To avoid these, remember to drink in moderation and choose your drinks wisely. Also opt for water and fresh fruit juices as often as you can.
Avoid overindulging. There is nothing wrong with trying all the holiday dishes that are served, but just remember to eat in moderation and eat slowly. Studies show that eating slowly can aid in better digestion, and will give your stomach enough time to process and signal to the brain that it is full which will stop you from accidentally overeating.
Don’t forego exercise. The holidays are usually high-risk for weight gain. To prevent this, try to sneak in at least 20 to 30 minutes a day to break a sweat. Not only is this good for your physical health, but it can also relieve stress that is common during the holidays.
Stay prepared for holiday emergencies. With all the celebrations and non-stop eating and drinking, the holiday season is also prime for medical-related emergencies. These days, however, easy access to quality health care services may be challenging. Upholding its commitment to be a health partner, AXA Philippines has allied with MyPocketDoctor to bring teleconsultation to health policyholders (Health Max, Health Start, and Global Health Access) and non-AXA customers alike. By downloading the MyPocketDoctor app from the Google Play or App Store and registering with an e-mail address and mobile number, AXA health policyholders can have 24/7 access to medical consultations anywhere. Non-AXA customers can also avail of a one-time free teleconsultation as part of an ongoing campaign if they register here: https://cloud.mkt.axa.com.ph/teleconsultation-pr1
Make the Christmas season a safe and meaningful one for you and your loved ones, especially amid these unprecedented times by trying out these tips suggested by AXA Philippines. To know more about AXA as a health partner, visit https://axa.com.ph/multimedia/articles/axa-as-a-health-partner
