Enjoy Healthy Holidays with MinuteClinic

Ask anyone in my family what I think about the holidays and they’ll tell you I love them! However, along with the holidays comes traveling and colds and lots of yucky stuff, too! I mean, let’s face it – the holidays tend to be the time of year when we stray from our normal patterns. We often sleep less when we’re traveling and sometimes even switch time zones. Many of us definitely indulge in food and drink, but we don’t stick to our regular exercise routines. Sometimes, our larger family environments even cause excitement and stress.

So, how can we stay healthy while traveling this holiday season?

1. Use activity as an opportunity to bond with family members!

2. Take a morning bike ride or a walk after dinner

3. Join a relative at their gym or yoga class

4. If the kids, or even the adults, are going to be up late, try and build in rest time during the day

5. Bring a basket of fresh fruit for your host. It’s a great option for snacking.

Travel Tips

Road tripping can be hard sometimes, especially if you have a little one who gets motion sickness (like we do). It’s not for anyone when motion sickness kicks in! If you’re road-tripping, here are some simple measures you can take to prevent motion sickness for both you and your family members!

 Stick to very light meals before traveling and avoid greasy and fatty foods.

 Try sitting in areas that move the least – the front of a train, wings of a plane, center of a ship.

 In the car, children may be restricted to the backseat, but make sure they can see the road or between seats.

 If you’re really worried about motion sickness, you can visit your local MinuteClinic for motion sickness prevention! Our practitioners will develop a customized treatment plan, recommend over the counter products, and write prescriptions when medically appropriate to help you prepare before you hit the road!

Flying off to warmer weather? Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations.

 It is also important to have a pre-travel assessment before you go to places like the Caribbean, South America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

 Don’t know where to get one? You can visit your primary care provider or we offer pre-travel counseling at MinuteClinic. You’ll get the vaccinations you need based on CDC guidelines, and we also provide some important health recommendations specific to the country you are visiting

Tips to Combat Flu + Cold on the Road

Unfortunately, you’re more likely to become ill when you travel. Germs can spread easily when you are around others in confined spaces like cars, airplanes and transit stations and airports.

And, you’re more susceptible because you get less rest and exercise and may eat outside your normal diet

It’s important to remember important basic hygiene rules like:

o Coughing or sneezing in a tissue or your sleeve to avoid spreading it to others.

o And washing your hands frequently, especially if you are helping with meal preparation.

o And most importantly, if you haven’t received your annual flu shot, get one as soon as possible.

If you do come down with a cold or the flu, you can visit your local MinuteClinic where a practitioner can help put you on the appropriate treatment plan.

Care Options During Holidays

 Within the U.S., care can be difficult to access, because like you, primary care providers may be on vacation or operating on holiday hours.

 The most important point is to avoid using the Emergency Room unless you have a critical issue. They cost more — even with insurance — and they can be crowded; especially during the holidays.

Why MinuteClinic?

This is where our MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics can play a key role; especially for illnesses like sinus and upper respiratory infections, ear aches and suspected strep throat. Here’s why:

 No appointment is needed and most insurance is accepted

 We’re open 7 days a week, including weekday evenings

 Even on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, we have at least one location, and often more, in any city we serve

 You can observe wait times at MinuteClinic.com and even hold a place in line in advance of your visit with our new digital tool, so you can keep up with your busy holiday schedule and come in when it’s most convenient to you

 And if you’re used to visiting a MinuteClinic in your home town, we’ll have access to your medical records at any location in the U.S.

About MinuteClinic

 MinuteClinic is the walk-in medical clinic inside select CVS Pharmacy and Target stores across the U.S. There are approximately 1,100 clinics in 33 states and the District of Columbia. MinuteClinic is open 7 days a week, including weekday evening hours. Walk-in, no appointment is necessary. Most health care insurance is accepted.

 Find a MinuteClinic near you HERE.

Do you have any tips for staying healthy during the holiday season?