What to know about tomorrow’s winter solstice

You may cringe hearing carols before Thanksgiving, but there’s no getting around it now: It’s officially December, and the Christmas rush is at a fever pitch. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all this month, plus New Year’s Eve and all the chaos that comes with rushing to finish your 2024 projects (and is it too late to finally hit the resolutions you set on January 1st?).

Needless to say, you’re busy – but it’s still worth making time to look after your health and well-being, whether that means sneaking a nutritious ingredient into your favorite party dishes, moving your body or meeting others great choices as you navigate your way around the holiday party.

Here’s your guide to living your best life this month.

Make a criss-cross. Did you know that December is a big month for crosswords? December 8th is National Crossword Puzzle Day, while December 21st is National Crossword Day. Celebrate one (or both) by unleashing your inner cruciverbalist (it’s a 14-letter word that, by the way, means “a person skilled at creating or solving crossword puzzles”) and sit down with a puzzle. It’s good for your brain health!

Make room for winter. The winter solstice begins Saturday, December 21. The bad news: It will be the shortest day of the year (that is, the day with the least amount of sunlight). The good news: From this point on, the days will get longer, with increasing amounts of sunlight. In the meantime, consider it a good excuse to do like the Scandinavians and practice hygge (or a similarly cozy, cold embracing trend).

Check your FSA balance. If you have a flexible spending account for health care, make sure to use it up before it expires (which usually happens at the end of the year, although some plans roll forward to March). Get your money’s worth by seeing if you have funds left – and if you do, start spending. If you have doctor’s appointments you haven’t made it to (like the dentist or the optometrist), book them ASAP and get your deductible and benefits refunded. Otherwise, grab health-related purchases ranging from high-tech gadgets (mini massage gun, anyone?) and menstrual hygiene products to sunscreen and essential sick day kits like bandages and cold medicine.

Wash your hands. “But I’m already washing my hands,” you insist. And while we trust that this is indeed the case, we also know that there’s always room for improvement – and that there’s a reason there’s a whole week (psst: it’s December 1-7) dedicated to raising awareness about handwashing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds – about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” or recite the intro to Law and order twice – to avoid the spread or collection of bacteria. And as Yahoo’s very own health editor Rachel Grumman Bender has noted, drying your hands thoroughly is critical, as bacteria can thrive on wet skin.

Eat cottage cheese. Cottage cheese won’t win any beauty contests, but honestly, it doesn’t have to. The coagulated dairy option is low in calories, high in protein, rich in B vitamins and, when fermented, packed with probiotics that can benefit gut health. Need another push? December 30 is National Cottage Cheese Day (whee!), so grab your spoon and dig in—or try one of these TikTok-approved recipes.

Donate. Gives Tuesday is December 3rd this year, and it’s a call to be generous when it comes to the causes you care most about. While financial donations to the charity of your choice are always welcome, there are other ways to give back: pick up trash at your local park, collect non-perishable items for your local food pantry, help a neighbor in need, donate blood… you get the idea .

Watch for signs of seasonal affective disorder. Gloomy weather and lack of daylight can put a damper on anyone’s mood. But when is the “winter blues” a sign of something more serious? Since December is Seasonal Depression Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize symptoms of the form of depression known as SAD; these may include a lack of energy, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, weight gain, and a tendency to oversleep, typically in the late fall and early winter.

Streeeeeetch. If you’re not stretching your limbs on December 11 (National Stretching Day), what are you doing? Regular stretching can boost your mood, relieve aches and pains, improve posture and flexibility, and much more. Here are some steps to get you started.

Don’t fall for these holiday food myths. A recent survey found that 39% of people worry about eating too much food during the holidays. As a result, they follow the wrong advice — like not eating all day in anticipation of a big meal, or detoxing after indulging in holiday treats. Experts say holiday weight gain is nothing to stress about — and there are simple ways to enjoy your eggnog, cookies and other seasonal favorites without punishing yourself.

Keep those holiday cocktails at bay. A glass of eggnog here, some hot cocoa there…the holiday season can get pretty hectic if you’re not careful. If you want to be more aware of your alcohol consumption and still be happy and ready, consult these expert tips – like having a friend to sip mocktails with or limiting the time you spend at parties with open bars.

Prepare these decisions. First things first: You don’t have to set a New Year’s resolution. But if you’re goal oriented and like to have some benchmarks to keep you motivated, go right ahead. Because January 1st will be here before you know it, use this time to reflect on what changes you want to make and why, and what steps (like daily benchmarks or getting an accountability buddy) can put you ready for success. Need more guidance? Here’s what therapists have to say about sticking to resolutions (or skipping them altogether).

To do this month:

Eat: tangerines. Your favorite berries may be out of season, but tangerines – including satsumas, clementines and tangerines – are just getting started. Small, easy to peel and sometimes seedless, this citrus fruit (which is look like oranges, but belong to a different species) make a convenient winter snack and a great source of vitamin C (which can help you cut a winter cold short).

Get: yourself something. Gift giving can be stressful and disappointing (like when you’ve dropped hints about the new gadget you’re desperate to try only to end up with an itchy sweater that’s three sizes too big). If you’re able to, consider setting aside some holiday funds so you can treat yourself to what you really want this year — and ease some of the pressure around gifts.

Clock: your favorite holiday movies. Rewatching beloved movies that you associate with the holidays can bring comfort, stir nostalgia and stir up all sorts of good feelings, experts say.