Road to Carnival: fete wellness guide for the season
Published:Wednesday | April 3, 2024 | 12:06 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Carnival in Jamaica is officially four days away and revellers are already lining up by the numbers to make memories. While you’re busy feting and enjoying the soca beats, it’s important not to neglect your wellness. Today, Dr Mario Guthrie shares some essential tips for a safe and enjoyable soca experience.
“The island’s tropical climate already predisposes you to dehydration, so if exerting more energy dancing, partying and drinking alcohol, it is important to ensure you not only stay hydrated with water but also with liquids that contain electrolytes such as coconut water and rehydration salts; especially if having symptoms of dehydration such as extreme thirst, dry mouth, feeling weak or confused,” the general practitioner at Eastwood Avenue Medical Limited told The Gleaner.
Ranking as high as hydration is the matter of rest. “It’s important that you schedule rest breaks between events especially if consuming alcohol, which dehydrates you,” he explained, adding, “Good sleep is vital the day before carnival to prevent fatigue, especially if you are a socaphile and have attended numerous events.”
Speaking of alcohol – one of the leading causes of dehydration – too much consumption can also result in disorientation, delusion, dizziness and faint spells.
“Cup counting can be a useful tool. If you have an idea of how many drinks you can tolerate, then having your stack of cups in hand will remind you when to stop drinking. Drink a cup or bottle of water between each drink. This does mean going to the restroom more frequently, but it’s a great way to space your alcoholic beverages and your safety and sobriety.”
And you know how they say prevention is better than cure? The good doctor strongly recommends drinking at a slow and steady pace.
If you start feeling tipsy, drunk, or unwell, Dr Guthrie advises to stop drinking and start the rehydration process. Medical assistance is typically available on-site at these events to aid in sobering or speeding up the recovery process.
CHOOSING FOOTWEAR
When it comes to the matter of footwear, let’s honour the women who take to the streets in heels. But for those of you who can’t walk in heels, may we suggest selecting more comfortable choices like sneakers.“Inappropriate footwear increases your risk of injury while on the road. Injuries could include slips, falls, twisted ankles, muscle tears or even fractures,” Dr Guthrie added.
On the topic of endurance, road march, he says, is a vibe and not a race, so be sure to take your time and go at your comfortable pace.
“Though road marches aren’t races, a good warm-up with stretches is a great way to prepare for a long day of walking, chasing drink trucks and wining. You will use way more muscles than you anticipate, so the warm-up and stretch combination helps to decrease your risk of injury on the road,” the doctor said.
Other factors to consider include moving up the front of the band on carnival day; so that in the event that you get tired, you won’t fall too far behind. “Rest when you need to. And it may help to avoid the morning sun and start the day at the lunch break, if the entire day is too strenuous for you. Grab some lunch and enjoy the second half of the main event,” he revealed.
According to Dr Guthrie, carnival essentials for women – which are usually carried in a trusty fanny pack – comprises a rag, sunscreen, lip balm, dental floss, tampons or sanitary napkins. “Sunscreen should be applied all over the body, including the face, before going on the road. And it can be reapplied throughout the day, at a minimum of every two hours, especially after sweating,” he shared.
Another useful tip to practise is applying aloe vera to the burnt area of the skin following the post-road march shower. “Aloe vera will help to allow burns to heal more seamlessly without skin stripping. The natural aloe vera can be used from the plant or many bottled versions exist that can be purchased in many pharmacies.”
Feting can be a dangerous sport for band members struggling with health issues. For those jumping carnival with pre-existing medical conditions, Dr Guthrie has a few recommendations for you:
1. Take your medications as prescribed by your physician, which means not skipping doses for carnival.
2. Avoid extremes of anything that may affect your condition, such as salt for hypertensives, carbohydrates for diabetics, dehydration in people living with sickle cell disease, among others.
3. Wear a medic alert bracelet, especially if you have a condition where you could lose consciousness or blackout, e.g., seizure or diabetes. This will allow people to quickly identify your condition and help to save time in finding appropriate assistance.
4. Bring any important medications or other aids on the road in the event of an emergency, for example, asthma inhalers or oral DPH elixir or an epi-Pen if you are prone to allergic reactions.
5. Consult your physician prior to the carnival season, especially the road march, if you have any doubts or questions about your condition and participating in carnival activities.