8 ways to gear up for Black Friday

8 ways to gear up for Black Friday

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Black Friday is coming up and you know what that means—so many sales, so little time. What it doesn't mean is forgetting your health in the name of the perfect deal. We've come up with a list of ways to stay healthy and happy during your daylong shopping excursion and into the holiday season.

The essentials

1. Sleep

Get plenty of rest the hours before you embark on your journey of making the most of this season's deals. How much sleep do you need? Well, the average adult needs 7-8 hours a sleep a night. But you know your body best; if you need more, sleep more. Try to get no less than 6 hours of sleep the night before to give you the energy you need to get through that shopping spree.

2. Water and snacks

Every day, your body loses water when you go to the bathroom and every time you exhale. When you are physically active and sweat, you lose water at a faster rate. So, stay hydrated to keep your body working well; this is especially important when you're speed walking to catch those deals!

It is also a good idea to pack snacks. You don't want to lose precious time waiting in a line in the food court or at a local fast food restaurant. Pack protein and carbs to keep up your energy while running in and out of stores. You can also add to your hydration by eating fruits and veggies with high water content.

Courtesy of MountainStar
Courtesy of MountainStar

3. First aid kit

Anything could happen when you're on the go. Blisters from the wrong shoes, battles in the aisle for that last Barbie dream house, getting elbowed while storming the store…the list goes on. Keep band-aids and alcohol wipes close by for quick application. You'll be back to shopping in no time.

4. Shoes

You'll be on your feet for many hours, and you can't let something like sore feet stop you from taking advantage of those excellent deals. Make sure your shoes are supportive and durable for the amount of walking (and standing) you'll be doing.

Example of the wrong shoes to wear.
Example of the wrong shoes to wear.

5. Hand sanitizer

Who knows how many people you'll be in contact with during your shopping marathon? Everyone wants the same products you want, so not only will you be touching things hundreds of others have touched, but you will also be in close quarters with possible flu-incubators—people who are getting sick but don't know it yet!

Consider the following

6. Camping gear

If your motto is "You snooze at home, you lose on deals," be prepared for your night in front of the store with proper cold weather camping gear. It may not be the most pleasant camping trip with concrete as your campground and the frigid November air enveloping you for hours, but with the right gear you'll be functioning and smiling as one of the firsts to enter the store the next morning.

7. Doublewide stroller

Lessons learned from parents at Disneyland: stay on the offense. We recommend leaving your baby with a sitter on Black Friday, but if that's not possible, a doublewide stroller can help keep your baby safe while providing extra storage for those shopping bags. Plus, when shoppers see you revving up the doublewide to charge down the aisle, no doubt they'll clear the way.

Courtesy of MountainStar
Courtesy of MountainStar

8. Matching t-shirts

The best way to make the most of your Black Friday shopping is to divide and conquer. But, because everyone and their dog are in the same store as you and your family, you need a way to find each other. Treat this like a family vacation and get matching neon shirts so you can spot members of your family from a mile away. Looking for a lost family member means lost shopping time.

Have fun

These tips will make sure you are equipped to handle the craze of Black Friday so that you can follow the most important rule of all – have fun! Look to MountainStar Healthcare for more tips on staying healthy this flu season.

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