Staying Healthy During the Holidays
The holidays are a time for gatherings and celebrations, but they can also bring increased risks of illness. Here are a few tips to stay healthy:
• Get Your Flu Shot: Flu season peaks in winter. Protect yourself and your loved ones with an annual flu vaccination.
• COVID-19 Precautions: Stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 boosters, especially if you plan to attend large gatherings.
• Wash Your Hands Frequently: Prevent the spread of colds, flu, and other seasonal illnesses with regular handwashing.
Mental Health Matters
The holiday season can be stressful. Between gift shopping, family obligations, and year-end work deadlines, it’s important to prioritize your mental well-being:
• Take Breaks: Don’t hesitate to step away from stressful situations.
• Practice Self-Care: Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or enjoying a warm cup of tea, make time for yourself.
• Seek Support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional.
Winter Weather Preparedness
Cold weather can bring unique challenges:
• Dress Warmly: Wear layers, hats, gloves, and proper footwear to avoid frostbite and hypothermia.
• Emergency Kits: Keep a kit in your car with blankets, water, and non-perishable snacks in case of road delays or accidents.
• Stay Active: Exercise indoors if outdoor conditions aren’t safe. Staying active boosts your mood and immune system.
Community Health Services Available in December
We’re here to support your health needs this winter:
• Walk-in Services: Protect against the flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses.
• Nutrition Assistance: Visit our WIC office for information on healthy eating during the holidays.
SOURCE: Barton County
Health Department
STORY AND PHOTO
BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
For some, the month of December is a time to celebrate the holidays, spend times with family, forget about the past year and look ahead to the next. For others, it is not so joyous.
Winter is the time of year that can get the best of you and your body, as well as your mind. It’s easy to feel confined in our homes and shut inside because of the unbearable cold weather on the outside. There are ways to get through the funk to help you through the cold weather months ahead.
Karen Winkelman, R.N., has been with the Barton County Health Department for 28 years, the past four as director. She has seen a lot of things in her time. Her top priority is to help all Barton County residents be happy and healthy. It’s a year-round goal, but winter is the most difficult season of all. And the No. 1 goal of the Health Department is to prevent illnesses and encourage healthy lifestyles.
“Winter is the time when the holidays hit so there is typically more gatherings and more illnesses – flus, cold, just the regular seasonal illnesses are present,” she said. “So that’s why we really want to focus on tips of trying to stay healthy for yourself and also for those around you.”
Although infants and young people have the biggest health risks, all age groups need to be cognizant of what your body is telling you.
“Usually, the very young are most at risk because they haven’t had the ability to have all the protection by vaccines,” Winkelman said. “And also, the elderly, because they tend to have a lot of comorbidities - diabetes, high blood pressure, just other things that contribute to the aging process. Those diseases, of course, contribute to more severe cases of flu. Things that maybe those in the mid-age range can withstand because, typically, they have good immune systems and for them to fight illness is easier.”
Several factors go in to having a healthy mind and healthy body, not only this time of year, but every day.
“I think one of the most important things is to take care of yourself, because in turn, you are also protecting those around you,” Winkelman said. “And I think we must pay attention to our mental health, because as we all come on to the holidays, there are a lot of expectations. We see all the organized and elaborate holiday things going on, and just the mere fact that that may not be what your holiday looks like. So always reach out if you need to. And also, if you need to step away from a situation for a little bit and just kind of take a breath, go out and walk. If you have a therapist, see your therapist, too.”
Physical ailments are common this time of year but mental health is a disease that has become all too common in Barton County, and across the country.
“As we do our assessments in the different communities in Barton County, mental health has been at the top, and I just think we can’t stress enough that you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out. We have to reduce that stigma,” she said. “So, if your mental health stage is not healthy, it can affect your body because, usually, you tend to not exercise to keep your immune system robust. You maybe tend to withdraw.”
The Barton County Health Department is located at 1300 Kansas Ave STE B in Great Bend or you can call them at (620) 793-1902.
