Happy holidays to the students, staff, and family of AFHS! Never have we experienced a holiday season quite like this. With Covid-19 still on the rise, everyone should be celebrating using appropriate safety measures. The restrictions that come with the pandemic may be hard on some, but the holiday spirit should be held onto. Let’s create a healthy, happy, and safe holiday break with these simple tips.
Firstly, the most obvious tip: remember to keep yourself and others safe as the pandemic has not yet ended. Many have already made safe choices such as avoiding airline travel. According to CNN, “This summer, online searches for ‘holiday travel’ decreased by 43% from 2019 and ‘Christmas travel’ is down by 46%”, but to those still planning to travel, make sure to social distance, hand wash, sanitize, and wear a mask. Of course, this goes for everyone staying local and still having public gatherings as well. The CDC encourages families to avoid gathering altogether and go virtual, but also advises those still planning on getting together keep the numbers low and meet in a well ventilated area.
Second, make healthy choices. When it comes to nutrition, not many teens think about the choices they make. Remember the importance of not skipping meals and including healthy food options. When it comes to the holidays, sweets can be found everywhere, therefore eating foods such as fruits and vegetables should be a must to stay healthy. It may also be easy to become lazy over break, which can be understandable, but in the end not healthy when your break only consists of that. Take a short walk or run, or just get out of the house for a bit and appreciate the winter season. Holiday foods come once a year, so savor them, especially the sweets.
Lastly, remember to focus on yourself and your own happiness this December. Even if you just spend time reading a book by the fireplace or go on a walk alone and enjoy the views, acknowledge that you can create your own joy. Practice self-care and self-love, and take the time to do what you enjoy, whether that be spending time in bed, playing video games, or painting. The holidays may also be stressful for some due to family situations, so make time to be with people that make you happy. This means that even if you can't avoid the stressful situation, find free time to create a positive one. You should do something nice for yourself; maybe buy something you've been wanting or indulge in all the holiday sweets. Do what makes you happy.
Let's stay healthy and safe, so we can end this difficult year on a good note with a positive attitude. Enjoy your break and remind yourself how special it is to have people to celebrate with, especially this year. Happy holidays AFHS!
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