5 Holiday Season Mom Hacks for Staying Healthy

This article is sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.

As I strolled through the grocery store yesterday, I felt my heart skip a beat at the sight of the seasonal aisle overflowing with pumpkin spice and apple delights. You know what that indicates? It signals the impending arrival of autumn. Soon the foliage will transform, and as we transition into fall, the temperatures will drop and the children will return to school.At that time, it may seem like life is returning to normal, but the holiday chaos is just around the corner! The festive season means more gatherings with loved ones, and it’s essential to ensure that no one in your home misses out on the celebrations, so preparing your household for the influx of germs is crucial

Festive gatherings are a joy as they bring together all your favorite people (and their germs). This year, I’m determined to stay ahead of the game. I’m rolling out my tried-and-true mom techniques to help keep everyone in good health.

1. Manage the Germs: While I can’t eliminate every germ lurking in my home, I can ensure high-traffic surfaces (such as doorknobs, light switches, and trash can lids) are sanitized with antibacterial wipes. Additionally, placing napkins by snack bowls encourages guests to use them instead of their hands.

1. Promote Hand Washing: Encouraging children to wash their hands after using the bathroom (or any other messy activity) is straightforward, but nudging an adult can feel tricky. You wouldn’t want to sound disrespectful while reminding Grandma before she reaches for more chips after handling her dentures. Making handwashing stations easily accessible can help. Using fragrant soaps and seasonal towels makes it more enticing. “Hey Grandma, don’t you just love the scent of my new apple cinnamon hand soap?”

1. Well-Stocked Medicine Cabinet: It often seems like kids are the first to catch colds, likely due to their developing immune systems. I stay ahead of those moments when “Sick just got real.™” by ensuring my medicine cabinet is stocked with essential items like Children’s Advil® Suspension (for ages 2-11), Children’s Robitussin® (for ages 6+), and Children’s Dimetapp® (for ages 6+).

1. Good Air In, Bad Air Out: During the chilly days surrounding the parties, let your home breathe by opening windows before and after gatherings. This helps prevent stagnant air. You can utilize a fan to speed up the process. If temperatures drop too low, simply close the windows while keeping curtains open to let sunlight in, as the sun’s rays are effective in exterminating viruses and bacteria.

1. Chill Out: You don’t have to physically freeze your guests, but keeping the home cooler on party days is advantageous since viruses struggle in lower temperatures. Winter months often see a rise in illnesses due to body temperatures being just right and the close quarters indoors allowing viruses to spread.

Do you have any unique mom strategies during the holidays to keep your family healthy?