The holiday season is in full swing! Whether that fills you with excitement or stress (or both!), these tips can help you and your loved ones stay well and celebrate in the ways that work best for you.

1. Spend more time on the activities that bring you joy.
Shopping, cooking, decorating, party planning—on top of your usual responsibilities—can keep you very busy. If you’re not enjoying yourself, consider switching things up, such as having a potluck holiday dinner, going to a restaurant, or choosing names for gifts instead of buying for everyone. That will help you make time for the holiday activities you want to do, whether that’s spending time with your family, going to celebrations in the community, or volunteering for a local organization.

Make it easier: Take a few minutes for yourself with this box breathing exercise.

2. Eat healthy, but let yourself indulge a little.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean denying yourself some of your holiday favorites. Just eat them in moderation. Take a small piece of cake or a few chips and really savor every bite. Research shows that the first few bites of a food taste the best, so a small treat may be the best way to go. Not skipping meals, using smaller plates, and avoiding high-calorie drinks are also good ways to eat healthier during the holidays.

Make it easier: Find healthy holiday recipes to share with the Rhode Ahead cookbook Lighten Up Your Holidays.

3. Enjoy the season while being active. 
You can make the most of the season with outdoor activities—everything from taking a winter hike to strolling around to look at the lights. That can be especially good after a holiday meal! Or, if it’s too cold outside, exercise indoors while catching up on a holiday movie.

Make it easier: Looking to try something new? Your Blue Store locations offer dozens of free fitness classes for members each week, from yoga to circuit training to Zumba. Sign up for a class.¹

4. Give gifts focused on wellness (and save money doing it).
Consider buying gifts that can help your loved ones stay healthy throughout the year. This might include fitness equipment, streaming fitness services, or meal services. You can also give out coupons for helping family and friends with shoveling, grocery shopping, and other helpful tasks.

Make it easier: Blue365^®2 offers members-only savings on health and fitness gear, fitness services, meal subscriptions, and much more. There’s no charge to register, and you can sign up for email alerts tailored to your preferences. Check out the savings at Blue365.

5. Get vaccinated to protect yourself and loved ones.
The best way to stop viruses from ruining your holiday plans is to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. For RSV, the CDC recommends a vaccine for all adults ages 75 and older. The vaccine can also help protect adults aged 60+ who are at increased risk for severe RSV. All these vaccines are covered at $0 under your BCBSRI Medicare Advantage plan.³

Make it easier: Find a  participating pharmacy where you can get vaccinated.

6. Have a doctor on (video) call.  
Your BCBSRI Medicare Advantage plan includes Doctors Online, which allows you to video chat with a board-certified doctor on your computer, smartphone, or tablet—for $0. It’s a great option if your doctor’s office is closed or if you’re traveling for the holidays. You can get help with common, non-emergency health issues such as colds, allergy symptoms, or a migraine.

Make it easier: Set up your account by downloading the BCBSRI Drs. Online app from the Apple App Store or Google Play or visit drs-online.com.⁴

7. Protect yourself if you’re traveling internationally.
If you’re traveling internationally for the holidays (or any other reason), bring peace of mind with you. Since healthcare can be unpredictable internationally, Blue Cross has teamed up with GeoBlue⁵, an independent company that provides travel health insurance for individuals. GeoBlue provides access to quality doctors, hospitals, and facilities in more than 190 countries. You’ll have 24/7 global medical assistance for a range of healthcare services, from routine health and wellness to urgent and emergency care, including emergency evacuations.

Make it easier: Some GeoBlue plans allow you enroll right up to the day before you plan to travel. See the different plans available, some of which have a $0 deductible.