





4. Opt for moderation in sleep
During Tet, which marks a period of extended holidays after strenuous days at work or in one's career, some may opt for deep slumber to unwind and rest. They cocoon themselves in blankets and pamper themselves, as sleep is considered a great mental refresher instead of indulging in festivities during Tet.
However, experts advise that regardless of the reason, adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Sleeping more than this can disrupt the body, eventually leading to a desire for more sleep, extreme drowsiness, even after napping.
Recent studies suggest that oversleeping leaves the body tired, the mind foggy, reduces energy levels, and impairs memory. Furthermore, excessive sleep causes respiratory organs to become congested, increasing the need for sleep and disrupting normal sleep cycles. Other factors such as alcohol consumption or the use of tranquilizers... also contribute to oversleeping, posing health risks. Therefore, during Tet, opt for various relaxation methods and engage in outdoor activities and joyous moments instead of lying in bed and 'meditating in a position'.


5. Limit late-night activities
Most of the festive activities and parties often take place at night, sometimes even overnight during Tet. To partake in these activities, people tend to stay up later than usual to immerse themselves in the fun. This significantly impacts your health. Nighttime is when our bodies replenish energy to function the next day. Staying up late like this leads to memory loss, weakened immune system. Therefore, to maintain good health during Tet, avoid staying up late.
Staying up late makes the nervous system tense, easily causing digestive issues such as cramps, nausea, bloating. If you intend to host a midnight New Year's Eve feast or one during Tet, allocate tasks properly so that family members can lend a hand, reducing the need to stay up late.


6. Limit Crowded Places
As Tet approaches and spring arrives, spring festivals, games, fairs, and music programs compete to organize... Everyone tends to enjoy places that are 'busier the better', because according to the effect, those areas will bring many new things, experiences, and laughter.
However, no one would expect that these bustling places, with many participants, will only provide more opportunities for disease-causing agents to attack people. Therefore, the risk of disease transmission will be higher, especially infectious diseases such as flu, coughs, skin diseases...
In 2020, the world was shaken by the Covit-19 pandemic and until now, many countries are still struggling against the epidemic. In Vietnam, although we have controlled the epidemic well, we should not be complacent. Therefore, even during Tet, you should limit going to crowded places. And if you have to go to public areas, it's best to wear a mask to maintain good health for yourself to do many other things.


7. Control Your Eating Habits
During Tet, the food is abundant, diverse, and nutritious. Most people notice weight gain after Tet due to the relaxation from work and the tempting dishes on the table every day.
However, to maintain good health, you should control your eating habits. Absolutely do not skip meals, eat too little or too much, and drink plenty of water. During Tet, you can indulge a bit more and allow yourself to have a drink. But eat and drink scientifically to prevent potential diseases caused by excessive eating, such as obesity, food poisoning, diarrhea... which negatively affect your health. Therefore, control your diet appropriately to maintain good health. The Tet menu should include various green vegetables as they contain high levels of chlorophyll to boost immunity. Vegetables also provide plenty of fiber, minerals, and vitamins to improve digestive system function. Additionally, have fruits readily available on the table for guests. Fruits contain little fat, few calories but provide plenty of nutrients to the body, which is very beneficial for health!!!


8. Eat Well, Drink Boiled Water
During Tet, food and household supplies are always readily available in every home. People often say 'no diet during Tet' for that reason. However, in reality, most families, unless they are setting up altars for ancestors or hosting guests, are quite casual about meals to have time for outings or receiving guests. Sometimes, after returning from an outing feeling hungry, they casually open the refrigerator to see if there's anything to eat and immediately enjoy whatever is available.
But eating leftovers or pre-prepared food from the fridge is not at all good. Therefore, take the time to cook thoroughly and heat up your food. This principle is truly beneficial for you because it helps you avoid digestive problems caused by consuming undercooked or reheated food. Food poisoning still occurs frequently every year due to carelessness in food preparation and consumption. That's why, even during Tet, no matter how busy you are with activities, make sure to cook thoroughly and drink boiled water to maintain good health.


9. Limit Consumption of Candied Treats
Candied treats are a hallmark of Tet cuisine. However, excessive consumption can adversely affect health due to the high sugar content, chemical additives, preservatives in these treats. Moreover, while out visiting during Tet, it's challenging to discern the quality and safety of candied treats at various places. Except for homemade treats with proper storage, many commercial establishments still recall products that fail to meet hygiene standards every year.
On Tet days, overindulging in candied treats can lead to increased blood sugar levels, making them unsuitable for individuals with diabetes. Therefore, it's advisable to limit consumption, even though they are delicious and a rare treat.


10. Proper Rest
To avoid indigestion from overeating during Tet, take time to rest and recharge. Ensure you sleep on time and get enough rest. Sleep will help you quickly recover your energy for activities the next day. To prevent untimely drowsiness, have a cup of coffee or drink a glass of vitamin C effervescent before going out.
If you happen to forget some advice, regain your strength by: Proper rest and light meals. Eat plenty of vegetable soups, yogurt, and easily digestible foods.


11. Follow Traffic Rules During Tet
During Tet, except for the morning of the first day when families stay at home to prepare offerings, the traffic volume significantly increases compared to regular days. This is because everyone visits each other to exchange Tet greetings, friends invite each other to hang out, or participate in events on Tet day.
Therefore, to protect yourself, especially your health, it's important to obey traffic laws, wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, stop at red lights... And if you go out to eat and participate in traffic, avoid drinking alcohol. If everyone follows these rules, there will surely be no tragic accidents. Compliance with traffic laws is also essential for safeguarding our precious health.


12. Cool down your body with herbal drinks
Herbal drinks can be homemade or conveniently purchased from the market, such as Dr. Thanh's Cool Down Tea. Extracted from 9 natural herbs, this beverage helps cool down the body, detoxify, prevent acne, and relieve itching after consuming alcohol and oily fried foods. If you've overindulged at parties or eaten too many oily, fatty foods, remember to drink herbal tea to cool down and detoxify your body.
Not only does herbal tea cool down the body, but it also serves as an ideal refreshment when welcoming guests or during parties. Therefore, prepare several boxes of herbal tea to enjoy with family and friends as a healthy gift exchange for a fresh Tet holiday.


13. Limit acidic foods and fried dishes
Most foods during Tet contain fats and protein. These are the main components that cause dangerous diseases such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or low blood pressure...
For fried dishes, pay attention to cooking methods to ensure nutrition and health for your family. Just use a small amount of cooking oil over high heat and quickly stir-fry the food until cooked. This cooking method will minimize the amount of oil absorbed into the food.
However, the advice is still to limit the consumption of foods high in fat and fried dishes because, along with alcohol, they are the main causes of body heat and acne due to the body's inability to excrete harmful substances.


14. Learn from the wisdom of our grandparents
During Tet, the dishes are often rich in protein, so adding fresh vegetables, fruits, supplying vitamins and fiber to regulate the absorption of fat optimally. Enjoy a satisfying Tet meal without feeling too full.
However, overly indulging in Tet feasts can lead to difficulty in digestion and feeling bloated. Follow the traditional wisdom passed down from our grandparents: drink infused water made from chamomile, artichoke flower, coriander, and dill to aid in the digestion process. You can use a cotton towel folded into four, dipped in hot water and wrung dry to apply to your chest. If you have a warming bag, even better. Apply the warm compress for half an hour, and you will feel relief immediately.


15. Boost Your Intake of Green Vegetables and Fruits
Nutrition experts recommend that we should supplement at least 400g-500g of green vegetables and 200g-300g of fruits every day to provide the body with a certain amount of fiber.
Especially during Tet, after consuming a lot of energy and heat-generating substances such as alcohol, it's essential to significantly increase your intake of green vegetables and fruits to help the body stay hydrated.
Along with herbal drinks, supplementing the necessary amount of fiber will help improve your digestion, maintain a balanced complexion, and keep your body in shape throughout Tet.


16. Choose Appropriate Attire
During Tet, everyone wants to dress nicely and choose vibrant colors to welcome luck and good fortune for the new year. However, each Tet holiday is different, especially the weather. Some years, the cold north wind arrives right on Tet days, bringing freezing temperatures or even spring rain. Other years, Tet days are as hot as summer.
Therefore, when choosing your Tet attire, you should prioritize comfort above all. Avoid wearing overly tight or constricting clothes, as they can make you uncomfortable during Tet visits or while sitting and standing. Especially if you forget to consider the weather just for the sake of fashion, you might encounter sudden weather shocks. It's advisable to carry a warm jacket as a backup, and if possible, keep a raincoat in your car trunk!


17. Plan and Arrange Your Time Wisely
On Tet day, especially during the Tet preparation period, everyone is busy doing many things with the hope of welcoming a warm, prosperous new year. However, due to too many tasks and plans, you often experience states of nervous tension, which can negatively affect the digestive process with symptoms such as cramps, nausea, and bloating.
If you have too much to do, list them out and prioritize what needs to be done first and what can be done later. Especially if you intend to prepare a feast for guests on New Year's Eve or during Tet, allocate tasks and time reasonably. And what could be more enjoyable than arranging the right time for family members to help you or to make the meal together. Before receiving guests, take 10 minutes to rest, breathe deeply, and relax your muscles.


18. Embrace the 10-Minute Rule for Yourself
In just a few days, we will step into the new year, the Year of the Ox 2021. During these days leading up to Tet, everyone is making the most of their time to tidy up and decorate their homes. Everyone hopes for a joyful and prosperous Tet. However, because of this, everyone is busy trying to fully enjoy the excitement of welcoming the new year.
Therefore, during Tet, save time to do useful things for yourself by applying the 10-Minute Rule. For example, go to bed 10 minutes earlier than usual. If you want to practice yoga but are too busy with Tet feasts, start with just 10 minutes a day. Ten minutes earlier is a good start for all healthy habits this Tet.


19. Addressing Medication Use
Many people believe that taking medicine in the first few days of the year means they have to take medicine all year round. As a result, some people who are sick refuse to take medicine, and those who are currently ill stop taking medicine during Tet. This is a misconception and such notion is flawed, not reflecting reality.
Taking medication when ill is essential, and we should not let misguided ideas negatively impact our health. Doctors often advise those undergoing long-term treatment to continue taking their medication as usual, without stopping during any festive occasion like Tet. Those who suddenly fall ill during Tet should still seek medical attention and take medication, without any hesitation.


