At this time of year, it’s easy to overdo it. Here are some seasonal wellness suggestions to keep on standby...
Heavy meals, late nights, celebratory fizz, snogs (and more) under the mistletoe… the festive season can be hard on our health. From raging mince pie heartburn to painful party shoe blisters, don’t let too much of a good thing ruin your festive fun.
Too much…rich food
With so much of the party season focused around eating, we might feel the after-effects of over-indulging with food. This can range from conditions such as heartburn, indigestion and a change in loo habits, to related issues including disturbed sleep or a slump in energy. And some of us can be more affected by rich foods than others, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome or diabetes, those who are currently pregnant, those who smoke or are overweight.
Dr Sonia Khorana, GP, explains a few easy ways we can help avoid these types of effects during the festive period: “You don’t need to give up the good stuff but taking a moment to savour the flavour will help you slow down and not overindulge when eating. Try to sit down to eat, if you can,” she advises. “And don’t starve yourself during the day, as it makes you more likely to indulge when you eat later – it’s better to eat small and regular portions during the day. A little forward planning is also helpful – have a healthy snack before you go out, so you don’t arrive hungry to parties.”
Meanwhile, Boots pharmacist, Vuyani Chinyowa, has advice on which foods to steer clear of to avoid digestive issues: “Be aware of common trigger foods such as chocolate, coffee and alcohol. And with alcohol, opt for drinks with lower carbs and sugar content, such as dry wines, spirits and (perhaps surprisingly) prosecco, and use mixers that have no added sugar, such as light tonic water,” he says.
“Some popular Christmas foods actually come with health benefits, for example, roast turkey and smoked salmon are rich in protein and low in fat, while brussels sprouts are a great source of vitamins and fibre. So, enjoy!”
Gastro remedies
In case of gastro issues, here are some products to consider that may help. Always read the label. For heartburn and reflux, try Boots Heartburn and Acid Reflux Control Capsules.† For indigestion, Rennie Peppermint 24 Chewable Tablets may help, while Senokot Syrup†† may help relieve constipation and Imodium Instants Melts††† could help with acute diarrhoea.
Too much…partying
From aching muscles and blisters caused by too much shopping/dancing/time in heels, to feeling run down and experiencing broken sleep due to busy schedules… our social life can take its toll on our general wellbeing at this time of year. Don’t think you have to become a festive hermit and say no to every invite though. “If you get a blister, cover it with a plaster or a padded or hydrocolloid dressing. If it bursts, wait for the fluid to drain and don’t burst it yourself, as it increases the risk of infection and delays healing, and don’t wear the same shoes that caused the blister while it heals,” advises Vuyani. See a GP if it becomes hot or filled with green or yellow pus.
Consider Boots Blister Plaster Mixed Pack, or the lubricating Compeed Anti-Blister Stick to reduce rubbing and help prevent blisters striking.
As for feeling run-down? “It can be hard at this time of year, but schedule time to rest in-between socialising,” says Dr Khorana. “If you don’t have time to exercise, squeeze in regular walks instead. Balanced meals will help you feel more energetic and support the immune system. Stay hydrated and cut back on caffeine (try swapping your usual brew for a decaf).” You might also like to consider supplementing your festive diet with a vitamin B complex**, such as Boots Vitamin B Complex to help support those flagging energy levels.
If muscle aches are getting in the way of festive fun, low impact exercises such as swimming can help, as can losing weight. For more instant relief, take a bath and rest, or consider pain relief medication, if suitable.
Too much…sex
Do you know a lot of people with birthdays in September? There’s a reason for that… Statistically, people have more sex at Christmas than the rest of the year, proven by 27 September being the most popular birth date in the UK!* If you’re looking forward to some festive romance and don’t fancy adding to that stat, then it’s important to make sure you’ve got your contraception covered for the holidays. Don’t forget GPs will be closed for some of the festive period, so plan ahead if you need to renew a contraceptive prescription.
If your usual method fails then emergency contraception may be an option. Speak to a GP, visit a Boots pharmacist or Boots Online Doctor^ – they can offer advice on emergency contraceptive options (if clinically appropriate), as well as on any help and support you might need. Remember, emergency contraception needs to be taken as soon as possible for it to be most effective, and within five days after unprotected sex (three days for some medicines). It’s also important to use a barrier method to help protect against STIs, such as condoms.
Too much…alcohol
With alcohol, prevention is always better than cure and, according to the NHS, that means drinking in moderation, sticking to the NHS-recommended units, avoiding drinking on an empty stomach (eat a meal that includes carbs or fats to slow down the body absorbing alcohol), drinking water or a non-fizzy soft drink in-between each alcoholic one, and also a pint of water before you go to sleep to help you rehydrate.
Our overindulgence survival gifts
†Contains esomeprazole.
††Contains sennosides.
†††Contains loperamide hydrochloride.
**Food supplements are intended to supplement the diet and should not be regarded as a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or a healthy lifestyle.
^Access to prescription-only medicine and/or treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply.
^^Never leave a burning candle unattended. Keep a burning candle out of reach of children and pets
