"Twelve Ways to Health Holiday Song"

Dec. 23, 2019

By Mary Wade Burnside

There have been some great “Twelve Days of Christmas” parodies over the years, so why shouldn’t the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention add one into the mix?

After all, the holiday season coincides with the start of cold weather and winter, and when you gather together with friends and relatives, you want to exchange goodwill and gifts, not a cold or the flu.

So sing along to the “Twelve Ways to Health Holiday Song” and remember to wash your hands, get your flu vaccine, indulge in food and drink safely and with moderation and stay warm and joyful during these celebratory times.

The first way to health, said the CDC to me
Wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The second way to health, said the CDC to me
Bundle up for warmth, and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The third way to health, said the CDC to me
Manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The fourth way to health, said the CDC to me
Don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The fifth way to health, said the CDC to me, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The sixth way to health, said the CDC to me
Fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The seventh way to health, said the CDC to me
Get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The eighth way to health, said the CDC to me
Get your vaccinations, get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The ninth way to health, said the CDC to me
Monitor the children, get your vaccinations, get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The tenth way to health, said the CDC to me
Practice fire safety, monitor the children, get your vaccinations, get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The eleventh way to health, said the CDC to me
Prepare dinner safely, practice fire safety, monitor the children, get your vaccinations, get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.
The twelfth way to health, said the CDC to me
Eat well and get moving, prepare dinner safely, practice fire safety, monitor the children, get your vaccinations, get exams and screenings, fasten belts while driving, be smoke-free, don’t drink and drive, manage stress, bundle up for warmth and wash hands to be safe and healthy.

The CDC also offers some tips that didn’t make it into the song that can help us navigate temptations in a healthy manner. Such as, reach for veggies instead of salty and sugary snacks. When gathering together with family and friends, round some of them up for a walk or a hike. It’s also a good time to talk to them about family health history. Make sure you get plenty of sleep. Don’t smoke, and avoid other people’s second-hand smoke.

Most of all, relax and have a great time with family!