It’s that time of year:  with every kiss under the mistletoe comes a little cough…where holiday gatherings inevitably bring along the sniffles…when those quick gift runs result in a sneeze session.  Unfortunately the holiday season is also known as cold & flu season.  While a trip to the doctor might be needed when you come down with something nasty, I wanted to share a few “stay healthy” tips & tricks to help survive the season symptom-free.

Indulge in a little Self-care:  A relaxing escape, an expert massage service is a tool to keep you sane amidst the inevitable chaos of Christmas.  A professional one-hour massage is the perfect way to de-stress and for your first visit, Hand and Stone offers them for just $49.95!  Hand & Stone is a 275-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise with a mission to bring massage and facial services to the masses.  Is there one in your ‘hood?  With locations in 29 states and Canada, they make it super-easy to squeeze in an appointment time that works with your packed schedule.  Do it!  This is the best gift you could give yourself as we lead up to the busy holiday season.

Change out those Toothbrushes:  Has anyone ever told ya to switch out your toothbrush whenever you catch a cold?  –Not sure if there is any scientific evidence behind that advice but I think there is something to it!  Regardless, no one can deny the importance of oral health and its connection to our overall well-being.  Besides the obvious benefits of oral hygiene, did you know a clean mouth means warding off potential non-oral health problems, like heart attack, stroke and even preterm labor?  As the ADA reports, a healthy mouth means a healthy body.The HartFelt 360 Toothbrush is the world’s first 360 degree toothbrush and revolutionizes your brushing experience with unparalleled cleaning power.

• Cleans more than twice the amount of plaque than a standard manual toothbrush
• Effective without the use of toothpaste! (Perfect for my tiny tot…her doc has advised holding off on toothpaste until after age 2)
• Ensures proper brushing

Be Prepared:  Stock up that medicine cabinet now, because there’s nothing worse than being sick during the holidays.  Fortunately, for those of us under the weather, there’s Chloraseptic, the #1 sore throat relief brand.  Have their throat lozenges on hand when you travel, too.  The air on airplanes is very dry – which can cause a sore, scratchy throat. These berry-flavored lozenges are a yummy, fast-acting method to soothe coughs & keep your throat feeling great.

Stay Hydrated!:  As the days become shorter and the temperatures drop below freezing, it’s only natural to daydream about a tropical vacation. But when traveling isn’t possible, INVO Coconut Water “Tropical” can transport you to the beach without ever leaving your home or office.INVO Tropical is packed with 5 essential electrolytes, low in sugar and 99% fat free. With a great source of vitamins C and B, INVO’s cold pasteurization process locks in all the nutrients, giving that freshly cracked coconut experience, just as nature intended. It is never frozen, never heated and has nothing artificial added, making it a healthy beverage choice to experience the tropics without the guilt.