What You Need to Know - Week of January 16th

2. Healthy Habits in the New Year

Happy New Year! The start of the new year is typically accompanied by creating resolutions to ensure a happy and healthy year ahead. Creating and maintaining healthy habits can protect you from serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while also helping to increase your energy and mood.

We’ve curated a list of healthy habits to improve your health and well-being in this new year:

Hydrate:

It can be quite easy to forget to drink water, especially when bogged down by a busy schedule. Drinking 2.7 liters of water for women, and 3.7 liters for men, will keep you from being dehydrated and help you be more productive throughout the day. 

Sleep:

Creating good sleep habits can help you get a better night’s sleep. Some habits that can improve your sleep health include being consistent with the time you go to sleep, being in a quiet and relaxing room free from distractions, and avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime. 

Eating Healthier:

Eating healthier does not mean eating less, it means changing the types of foods you eat. By eating various fruits, vegetables, fats, and grains, your body will have more energy which will help you be more productive throughout your day. If you are in need of nutrition assistance, check out our previous article with information about local food banks and pantries near you. 

Mindset:

Having a positive outlook can help change and maintain healthy habits. Boost your mindset through meditation, journaling, limiting screen time, making your bed every day, or doing something you enjoy. Changing minor daily habits can significantly improve your mood!

3. FAQ about the COVID-19 Omicron Sub-variant ‘XBB.1.5’

Before the new year, we discussed the “tripledemic,” the simultaneous transmission of COVID-19, Flu, and RSV. In recent weeks, there has been a decline in the number of flu and RSV cases, although the new COVID-19 sub-variant has caused an increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the nation. The CDC has projected that about 40% of confirmed U.S. COVID-19 cases are caused by the XBB.1.5 subvariant. We have answered some Frequently Asked Questions about the XBB.1.5 subvariant.

What’s the difference between this subvariant and others?

• The XBB.1.5 subvariant contains more mutations than previous variants and subvariants, allowing it to better avoid the immune system’s defenses. This means that even if you have been fully vaccinated and boosted or had a previous COVID-19 infection, XBB1.5 can still cause infection. Due to its mutations and ability to avoid the immune system, this subvariant is more transmissible than any other variant.

Does XBB1.5 make people sicker than previous COVID-19 variants?

• So far, there is no evidence that the new variant makes individuals sicker than earlier versions of the coronavirus. 

How can I protect myself from XBB.1.5?

• The same precautions used to protect from other variants of COVID-19 can be applied when protecting against XBB.1.5. Avoid crowded situations with poor ventilation, get a COVID-19 test regularly, and wear a mask. Fortunately, most of these precautions will also protect you from getting RSV or the flu.