Stay Healthy This Holiday Season

Let's face it: it's never fun to be sick during the holiday season. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips to stay health and safe throughout the holidays:

• Wash your hands often. This will keep you from spreading and picking up germs that can make you sick. To thoroughly wash your hands, use clean water and soap, and scrub for 20 seconds.

• Keep calm. Don't stress yourself out by over-committing yourself, and make sure you get enough sleep.

• Don't drink and drive—or let others drink and drive.

• Stay smoke-free, and avoid secondhand smoke. Says the CDC: "There is NO safe amount of tobacco or secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous."

• Buckle up! Fasten your seatbelt while you're in the car, and make sure any children are strapped into an appropriate carseat or booster seat.

• Get your flu shot, as well as any other vaccinations you might need. This will help keep you and your family from getting sick.

• Practice fire safety. Don't leave candles, fireplaces, space heaters or stoves unattended. According to the CDC, most fires occur in winter months.

• Be cautious in the kitchen. Wash your hands and surfaces often, avoid cross-contamination between raw meat and other items; cook foods to proper temperatures; and refrigerate promptly, according to the CDC.

• Eat healthy! Chow down on fruits and vegetables, and don't gorge on the Christmas cookies. Try to get at least 2-1/2 hours of exercise each week. Teens and children should be active for at least one hour per day.

How do you stay healthy during the holidays? Share your tips in the comments below.