How to stay safe this Christmas

IT IS Christmas Day, and you want to enjoy yourself, that is only natural!

The holiday period is commonly a time of overindulgence, with almost infinite food at our fingertips, it can be difficult not to go overboard.

Studies have found that during the holiday season, people usually put on a little extra weight. This finding is no surprise, but research has also shown that people typically do not shift that weight before the next holiday season rolls around.

In fact, some scientists believe that this seasonal weight gain might be one of the reasons why people tend to get heavier as they age.

Of course, eating poorly is not the only seasonal hazard that we face. Below are a few simple tips to help you cruise through Christmas Day without affecting your health.

1. CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

During the Christmas period, there is often more alcohol in the home than usual, which can increase the temptation to indulge. At this time of year, people also tend to socialise more, providing a spike in the number of opportunities to drink alcohol.

Although taking it easy can be challenging, moderation will make Christmas Day much more pleasant.

Here are some quick alcohol-related tips:

• At parties, intersperse alcoholic drinks with soft drinks

• Eat before you drink and avoid salty snacks as they make you thirsty

• Refrain from starting to drink early in the day

• Remember that you are not under any obligation to accept every single party invitation

• Bear in mind that you do not need to stay until the bitter end of every event

• Assign yourself as the designated driver and stick to soft drinks

• Stay hydrated

• Add more mixer to your glass so that your drink lasts longer

• Try non-alcoholic beers

• Choose drinks with lower levels of alcohol

• Drink slowly

• Avoid rounds and drink at your own pace.

2. DO NOT REMAIN SEATED

On Christmas Day, it can be tempting to stay sitting on the couch for the majority of your time, other than the hour or two that you spend sitting at the dining table. Many families gather around to watch seasonal movie marathons. Of course, there is nothing wrong with indulging in some sofa time, but it will benefit your general sense of well-being if you also get up and move around now and again.

3. OBLIGATORY OVEREATING

Christmas Day is, for many of us, the most gluttonous day of the year. Dinner is vast, and there is an accompanying array of biscuits, cheeses, chocolates, and snacks to choose from throughout the day. Of all the topics on this list, reducing food intake is perhaps the hardest at this time of year.

If you are tempted to go in for a second helping of dinner, force yourself to wait 20 minutes and then assess whether you truly need any more food. Once your meal has had time to reach your stomach, you might realise that you are not actually hungry and that the additional calories are not in your best interest.

4. EAT SOMETHING HEALTHFUL

As we have established, Christmas Day is bursting at the seams with ‘sinful’ cuisine, but that does not mean that you should not opt for a little light relief.

Perhaps try to replace a few calorific snacks with a piece of fruit or two. Alongside the obvious benefits of taking in more vitamins and minerals, you might find that you will be fuller and, therefore, more unlikely to tuck into the less healthful options surrounding you.

5. CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL WELL-BEING

There are numerous ways to look after your mental health during the holidays.

Not everyone enjoys the holiday season, so a little bit of kindness might do wonders for someone else and for you.

Being kind brings rewards to both the giver and the receiver. Some research has shown that altruism might boost self-esteem. Another study concluded that carrying out acts of kindness increased self-reported life satisfaction.

And finally, although leftovers are a delicious treat, make sure that you refrigerate them as soon as possible and reheat them thoroughly before eating them.

People often view the holiday season as an open invitation to do whatever they please. Instead, this year, consider it an invitation to be good to your mental and physical health.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com