It is more important than ever to look after yourself this year, with long hospital waiting times, lack of capacity in hospital, and the difficulties of getting a GP appointment. Here are a few simple tips to staying healthy over the festive season.
Move: Although it is nice to take some time off work and sit around watching TV and relaxing it is also important to keep your muscles moving. Get up, stretch go for a walk. However take care when getting out and about if it is icy. The last place you want to spend Christmas is A&E with a sprain or fracture. Wear shoe or trainers with some grip and check in on your balance and sense of alignment. Try to do some simple yoga or Pilates and be careful when challenging the family to a game of Twister!
Dehydration: Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. It is more difficult in the winter to remember to drink but very easy to get dehydrated sitting by the fire or in a centrally heated house, and especially if drinking alcohol. So aim for 2 litres of water (herbal teas, fruit juice) Be aware of drinking too much coffee and alcohol which can dehydrate you. If you can have one glass of water for each coffee or alcoholic drink that will help to prevent dehydration.
Gut health: It is lovely to enjoy lots of lovely rich food over Christmas but remember to look after your gut. There are plenty of ways to get fibre into your diet, Christmas dinner with lots of vegetables and maybe an extra brussel sprout or two! Sweet and rich food can be inflammatory to the body so be mindful if you start feeling stiff, achy or sluggish it may be worth looking at what you have been eating.
Sleep wake cycle: We often get out of routine when we are on holiday, and like to have a lay in or go to bed later. The body has a sleep wake cycle called your cyadiain rhythm and it is important to listen to that as it helps to control your hormones. It will also make it more difficult to get back to work or school after the New Year. So try to keep a little bit of a routine if you can and the most important thing is to get some daylight.
Vitamin D: It is important to continue to take daily vitamin D supplements. The NHS recommend all adults take a supplement of 10 micrograms of Vitamin D every day, this supports your immune system.
Dehydration: Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. It is more difficult in the winter to remember to drink but very easy to get dehydrated sitting by the fire or in a centrally heated house, and especially if drinking alcohol. So aim for 2 litres of water (herbal teas, fruit juice) Be aware of drinking too much coffee and alcohol which can dehydrate you. If you can have one glass of water for each coffee or alcoholic drink that will help to prevent dehydration.
Gut health: It is lovely to enjoy lots of lovely rich food over Christmas but remember to look after your gut. There are plenty of ways to get fibre into your diet, Christmas dinner with lots of vegetables and maybe an extra brussel sprout or two! Sweet and rich food can be inflammatory to the body so be mindful if you start feeling stiff, achy or sluggish it may be worth looking at what you have been eating.
Sleep wake cycle: We often get out of routine when we are on holiday, and like to have a lay in or go to bed later. The body has a sleep wake cycle called your cyadiain rhythm and it is important to listen to that as it helps to control your hormones. It will also make it more difficult to get back to work or school after the New Year. So try to keep a little bit of a routine if you can and the most important thing is to get some daylight.
Vitamin D: It is important to continue to take daily vitamin D supplements. The NHS recommend all adults take a supplement of 10 micrograms of Vitamin D every day, this supports your immune system.
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