Last Updated on April 13, 2017 by Marie Bautista
Here is the reason why I have not been blogging a lot lately.
I was sick.
Still am, actually.
With a glued left ear, an infected right ear, a sore throat and a cough.(At least, it is not that virus which spreads online, so, go on, keep reading 
)
) I wish my son’s multi-vitamins is available for old fogeys like me and I wish I have known about these 7 ways to avoid being sick these holiday season.
Disclaimer:This is not supposed to replace expert medical advice, okay?
1. You have a pounding headache, a sore throat, and a fever AND YOU NEED TO BE AT THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT IN AN HOUR!
For immediate relief, take ibuprofen (Alaxan or Advil). If you still feel like sh*t after four hours, take acetaminophen (Biogesic). Taking these two pain relievers alternately may double your relief. Experts say this is safe as long as you take only the recommended dose of each and wait four hours between.
Also, if you are taking other meds, such as a cold tablet, make sure it does not contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
2. Your feet aches like crazy and you still have ten more stores to hit before the mall closes.
I know, I know. Ten stores don’t matter if you are a shopaholic like me, but if you are umm-older (don’t look at me ), those poor feet do ache like crazy (of course, wearing those wedges, just because I do need to be trendy at the mall don’t help. At all.).
), those poor feet do ache like crazy (of course, wearing those wedges, just because I do need to be trendy at the mall don’t help. At all.). These might help, though:
Buy a good pair of firm insoles such as those above which cost around $20 or you can get Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Fit Insoles for Women, 1 pair, 6-10
, which is about $7 in drugstores or at Amazon. And for home remedy (cuz we don’t want to go therapy yet, right?):
- Take off your shoes.
- Look for 2 cans of juice or 2 bottles of water in the ref and roll your arches over them for like around ten minutes. The cold will lessen the swlling and the massage will make the muscles relax. I sometimes do this with dumbells too.
- Get a basin of warm water and soak your feet in them.
3. You have serious indigestion. Could it have been the fruit salad at your office christmas party?
This happens to me often. So often that I even blamed a cup of chocolate for having caused my stomach acid issues.
Even if you don’t usually suffer from acid indigestion, wolfing down those delicious holiday food can bring on an acid attack. The stomach empties slower if you eat rich and fatty foods. Adding alcohol to the mix can make it even worse. Have an antacid like Kremil-S, Tums, Maalox or Gaviscon on hand if the acid attack is already happening. For prevention, you can take an H2 blocker like Zantac or Tagamet.
4. You are cranky, you can’t think straight, and you are soooo sleepy!
Happens to the best of us. Go to bed earlier, even if you still have lots of things to do and insist on family members to help you finish all chores. Christmas chores like shopping, wrapping and decorating in addition to the things you regularly do can make you a prime candidate for being ill (in addition to being in a grumpy mood).
If you are too tired to even sleep, unwind. Try meditating, listening to good music, or reading something light.
5. You just can’t say NO to delicious, high-calorie goodies at holiday parties.
Who thinks the holiday give you the right to get stuffed?
Me! Me!
But you should know how to stop and if you feel too guilty for eating soo much, consider preparing for the next party by eating healthy snacks before you leave home. You will be full enough to avoid embarrassing holiday memories involving chocolate cupcakes (and the different versions of it).
Alternatively, you can decide to just have fun and go easy on your weight during the holidays. Don’t let yourself gain more than five pounds, though, because gaining more will make it more difficult to lose.
6. You are spending your holidays at your in-laws, but your back needs to survive seven hours in the car
Long hours of travel can cause an aching back even if you don’t have a back problem before. (Don’t blame your age! I am not …)
…) On your trip, try to stop every couple of hours and go out, stretch, and walk around.
7. Your body is aching – all over – and you have high fever. Are you sure you are not coming down with flu?
Don’t wonder if you have flu (like I did). Make a visit to the doctor ASAP. Take pain relievers, drink lots of water, and take plenty of rest (and please, please avoid the holiday crowd).
