December 2005
EIGHT CHRISTMAS HEALTH TIPS
1. Christmas sniffles
The Christmas party season is a great time to share your germs! If you have a cold try and be responsible and avoid close contact with others, no kissing under the mistletoe at the office party!
2. Avoid stress
Christmas can be a very stressful time. If a family Christmas drives you mad then don’t do it. Book a holiday and escape or organize a quiet Christmas just for yourselves at home. Some people find Christmas a very depressing time of year, if you or a loved one are feeling seriously depressed, try not to bottle it up, talk to your GP or the Samaritans www.samaritans.org If after all your efforts the day is a disaster, remember its only a couple of days and focus on the new year ahead.
3. Avoid the ill effects of alcohol
For a lot of people Christmas spirit means the alcoholic rather than the spiritual kind. Alcohol does have some benefits. It can relax people; small amounts stimulate the digestive juices and liver blood flow, helping you digest the Christmas feast. If you want to reduce the chances of a hang over here are a couple of tips - darker, sweeter spirits have more ‘congeners’ (complex organic molecules which produce the thirst, headache, fatigue, nausea, sweating, tremor, remorse and anxiety which are typical of a hangover) than clear pale ones. Whisky, for example, produces twice as many hangover symptoms as the same ‘dose’ of vodka. Cheaper spirits are often worse, especially sherries, so splash out!
4. If you do get a hang over
Drink plenty of fluid to counteract the dehydrating effect of alcohol: aim for water in double to volume of alcohol you have drunk. Eat something sugary to counteract the blood sugar lowering effect of alcohol (this is what makes you feel nauseous in the morning!). Choose your favourite pain relief for the headache but beware the stomach irritating effects of aspirin and to a lesser degree ibuprofen. Take an indigestion remedy which contains alinate (this lines your stomach), Vitamin c and vitamin b may help.
5. Don’t overeat
If you do get indigestion (inflammation of the stomach lining) try not to miss meals, eat regularly and avoid high fat snacks. Choose small meals for a day or so after overindulging. Drink plenty of water with meals. Try not to eat in the few hours before bed. Beware party food that has been left in a hot room for long periods, particularly seafood, chicken and foods containing mayonnaise. Be a responsible host. No one wants to give their guests a dose of food poisoning to go home with.
6. Kitchen safety
We all overstock for the festive season, overfilling fridges and freezers can mean that food is not kept cold enough to limit the spread of bacteria. If you are filling the fridge to bursting point, turn it to its maximum setting. If you are unlucky enough to burn yourself, immerse the area immediately in cold water for at least 10 minutes. Cover the area in cling film. If a large blister appears or the top layer of skin is lost you should seek medical advice.
7. Winter fitness
Try to take a brisk daylight walk every day; this can help ward off winter depression.
8. Tree safety
Every year 1000 or so accidents are caused by Christmas trees and the lights. Electrocution, falling off ladders and eye injuries from branches are common ways of getting injured. Don’t take short cuts or risks ........................ and be very careful of chimneys!
Sian Dolben
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