Your Health Matters
June Tavenor Brake, RN, BN
December 6th, 2006
Bah HumBUG?
Christmas. Where do we begin talking about the health issues surrounding this stress-laden holiday. From stress headaches to bloating and hangovers, Christmas makes our bodies run the gamat. Here are a few things to look out for to help you take care of yourself and enjoy Christmas, and not become a Scrooge.
Could you hand me a tissue? Your physical wellbeing
The most inconvenient thing that can happen during this busy time of year is getting sick. There are some simple ways you can stay on your feet and out of bed. Getting a flu shot should be the first item on the agenda to help prevent getting sick. It’s a once a year vaccination that has decreased the morbidity, or rate of infection, due to the flu virus.
A multivitamin is a once a day solution to help back up what you may be missing in your diet. A women’s formula will help give you the basic vitamins and minerals you need according to their recommended daily intake, and also give extra consideration to iron, calcium, and folic acid.
Speaking of diets, eating well is vital to maintaining your health over Christmas. There is so much temptation with the goodies and drinks that overdoing it is rather easy to do! So, all the treats in moderation and try to adhere to Canada’s Food Guide to keep yourself balanced. For those of us inclined to have a spirited drink over the holidays, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration, which is what causes hangovers. Also avoid alcohol on an empty stomach, avoid mixing different types of alcohol, and eat protein-rich foods such as peanuts to slow the absorption of alcohol.
Water is helpful for more than avoiding hangovers as well. All the time spent in cold weather and hot shopping centres can cause dehydration without you being aware. When you feel thirsty, it actually means that you are already dehydrated. Keeping a bottle of water on hand and taking sips periodically will keep you from getting to that point.
Oh the stress of it all; your mental wellbeing
One of the easiest things you can do to minimize the stress of Christmas is plan ahead. Make a list of who you are shopping for and what you think they may like. This will help you focus your shopping efforts, but also keep you from overspending. Another great list is who you are going to be sending Christmas cards. Once the lists are in your purse or day planner, you will be reminded early and saved from last minute rushing.
This point may make you laugh, but you should try to take one hour every day that is completely devoted to yourself. It seems one of the hardest things for myself is to find that hour, but the days that I do are the nights I sleep easier. Anything you like, just be sure your family knows about it to minimize interruptions.
Speaking of family interruptions, if your family is aware of your schedule and plan ahead of time, it is amazing how much easier things will become. Keeping your loved ones in the loop will make them more aware of the demands that are placed on you already and be less likely to add more. Communication is the key here, ladies.
Put things in perspective
I met a couple recently when the husband was admitted for appendicitis. They were one of the most connected and happy couples I had ever met, and they let me in on a little secret. Twice a week they volunteer at an Out of the Cold program here in Toronto. It has helped them become aware of some of the issues some of our fellow human beings are dealing with. The wife said how this has made them closer to each other and share a new appreciation for each other.
This Christmas, why not take the family out and volunteer with some of the less fortunate we see every day. Attend a clothing drive or help with a food drive. Soup kitchens are always happy to have extra help. Believe me, the irritations that each of you experience during this season will seen much more trivial.
Christmas is a joyous time to spend with family and friends. But if you let yourself get sick or tired, you won’t get to enjoy any of it. Take care of yourselves! Merry Christmas!
References and For More Information:
Other Articles By June:
- Birth Control and Cancer Risk: A Connection? (August 2006)
- Good Day Sunshine (June 2006)
- (April 2006)
- An Apple A Day (March 2006)
- "I’ve been waiting for 3 hours!” -- Wait times in Canadian hospitals (February 2006)
- Private Parts: The implications for women’s health in the federal election (December 2006)
June welcomes comments from her readers. You can contact her by writing to june@edwardsmagazine.ca
