Stay Healthy and Informed This Winter: Resources for the Holiday Season

Posted by Bobbi Newman on December 17th, 2024 Posted in: Blog

The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a perfect time to focus on staying healthy and making positive changes for the New Year. Health information providers are crucial in empowering individuals and families with access to trustworthy health information. From food safety tips to guidance on avoiding scams and making healthier lifestyle choices, libraries can connect communities to valuable resources that support well-being.

In this post, we’ll explore practical advice for staying safe during holiday celebrations, tips for setting realistic New Year’s resolutions, and tools for addressing broader health challenges through social determinants of health. We’ll also share a curated selection of trusted resources from organizations like the CDC, FDA, and FTC, along with actionable strategies for libraries to engage their communities in fostering health and wellness.

Stay safe this holiday season and make healthy New Year’s Resolutions!

Cooking Safely

• Food Safety for the Holidays from the CDC
• 4 Steps to Food Safety
• Serving Up Safe Buffets from the FDA
• Holiday Food Safety from the FDA
• Preparing Your Holiday Turkey Safely

Keep Your Pets Safe

• Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe from Holiday Hazards

Watch out for False Promises and Scams

The Truth Behind Weight Loss Ads from the FTC

• Spot False Promises
• Fake Stories Online
• Other Fitness and Weight Loss Products
• Other Things To Watch Out For
• Where To Learn More
• Report False Advertising

Explore the Social Determinants of Health from Healthy People 2030

So much of what affects our health is out of our control. How does your library form partnerships in your communities to address these?

• Economic Stability
• Education Access and Quality
• Health Care Access and Quality
• Neighborhood and Built Environment
• Social and Community Context

Resources for Specific Goals

MedlinePlus has pages that may align with your specific goals

• Complementary and Alternative Therapies
• Disasters
• Fitness and Exercise
• Food and Nutrition
• Health System
• Personal Health Issues
• Safety Issues
• Sexual Health Issues
• Social/Family Issues
• Wellness and Lifestyle

Additional Resources

• Mindfulness
• Choose My Plate
• Eat Right
• Learn about getting a good night’s sleep from CDC.gov
• Don’t Use Tobacco
• Be Sun Safe
• Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices
• Empowering Your Community to Stay Active – Even in the Colder Months

ABOUT Bobbi Newman
Bobbi Newman (MLIS, MA) is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for NNLM R6 at the University of Iowa. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. She developed the popular NNLM course “Wellness in the Library Workplace.” Bobbi is a mindfulness student and a member of Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). She currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Let’s Move in Libraries. She divides her time between her dog, reading fantasy and nonfiction, playing video games, crafting, kayaking, biking, and gardening.

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