With Christmas just around the corner, COVID-19 has stuck around like an unwelcome guest. But the coronavirus doesn’t have to ruin the holidays: It’s important to celebrate in a healthy way while taking steps to keep COVID at bay.

“As we get to the end of a hard year for everyone, enjoying the support of family is critical,” said Dr. Elise Lowe, chief hospitalist at Cody Regional Health. “Everyone is tired of thinking about COVID and wearing masks and hearing about controversy on the news, but there is still benefit in taking precautions.”

Over the holidays, Lowe said it’s important to protect the vulnerable by not exposing them to large crowds of people. Those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 include older residents and those with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes or heart or lung disease.

“Ultimately life is about balancing risk but think about ways that you can reduce that risk by limiting gathering sizes, using technology to connect, wearing masks and, above all, physically isolating if you’re having symptoms,” Lowe said. Symptoms include cough, breathlessness, body aches, fever and new loss of taste or smell.

“The basics are extra important right now: Eat a healthy well balanced diet, get consistent exercise and plenty of good sleep,” said Dr. Nicole Comer, a family practice physician at Powell Valley Healthcare.

In the midst of the pandemic — as well as cold and flu season — Comer also said to wash your hands and don’t touch your face. If you are sick, don’t go out.

“Get your flu vaccine, and when the COVID vaccine is available, get that as well,” Comer said.

She encouraged people to do their best to social distance, and to wear a mask when they cannot.

“Wearing masks decreases risk of transmission of COVID-19,” said Dr. Sarah Sowerwine with Heritage Health Center in Powell. “You and your guests are 95% less likely to get or spread COVID if all guests are wearing them.”

She said it’s also important to limit social gatherings to close family and friends.

In addition to washing hands frequently, Sowerwine also recommends cleaning hard surfaces regularly.

Sowerine said to enjoy foods rich in vitamin C — such as citrus fruits, red and green peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, kiwi and  sweet potatoes — or add a supplement (500 mg daily). She also recommends adding a vitamin D supplement (2,000 IU daily).

To stay active, exercise at home or consider joining a local gym or the Powell Aquatic Center, and practice physical distancing and other safety measures while working out.

As the snow flurries begin to fly, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy outdoor activities, too.

“Outdoor winter activity choices include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating,” said Dr. Michael Tracy with 307Health in Powell. “Hikes in the hills or intown walks on more mild winter days can meet your activity goals.”

As the pandemic drags on into the winter, being outside has the added benefit of reducing stress.

“A great way to manage the pervasive coronavirus stress is by spending more time outside  — especially if you go outside without your phone or access to social media or news,” Tracy said.

When weather allows, bundle up and enjoy a walk outside while still keeping your distance from others who aren’t in your household.

When socially gathering with non-household members, be mindful that alcohol consumption may lead to a relaxing of your physical distancing boundaries,  Tracy said.

“A helpful strategy in any group situation is to intentionally partner with a friend to help one another maintain the COVID-19 protection measures you have determined to follow — like wearing a mask and physical distancing,” Tracy said. “Keep working together, Wyoming.”