Christmas
and the holiday season are upon us again, and so soon!! Many, like myself are wondering where the
year has gone. Major department stores
are filled with Christmas decorations and promotional products already! The holiday season is, as always so hectic,
there are parties to organise, gifts to buy and food to prepare and all in such
a short period of time. It is easy to
understand why these last few months of the calendar year are the busiest and
most stressful of the whole year. There
is not time to waste, things need to be done, what can we buy for “so and so”
an on it goes. At times it can be
extremely difficult and exhausting just organizing and preparing for the coming
“silly season”.
One of the greatest secrets to surviving the pressure
of the holiday season is so simple it is often overlooked but can be summed up
in one word “relax”. Don’t stress
over small and insignificant things, you know, the silly things we can’t change
but that seem to grow bigger and more urgent the more we stress over them. Every now and then it is important to Stop take
a few breaths and try to go with the flow, you might be amazed at how easily
things fall into place when you stop “swimming upstream” fighting trivial
battles.
The months leading up to Christmas are a great time
for socializing with family and friends however, it is important to remember
everything in moderation. Too much
socialising can be harmful. Remembering
to include fresh fruits and drink plenty of water this can make all the
difference to your health and well-being throughout the “silly season”
particularly in the tropics. A diet rich
in fresh fruit (we are blessed in the far north to have a great variety of
fresh fruits like paw-paw, mango, pineapple, lychees, peaches and more) and
seasonal vegetables are a quick, easy and healthy option for the hot summer
months ahead. You will be amazed at how
much extra energy you will have to tackle those pre-Christmas sales by simply making
the effort to plan meals that incorporate salads, fresh herbs and lean protein
such as fish, chicken and eggs.
Keeping all your meats, fruit and vegetables
adequately refrigerated helps to keep the nasty bacteria’s that can cause food
poisoning at bay. If you do happen to be
unlucky this coming festive season and suffer with a bout of food poisoning
activated charcoal is an excellent remedy for food poisoning, keeping a bottle
handy is a great idea. A good probiotic
is also an excellent addition to one’s health and wellbeing regimen.
Stay hydrated with plenty of fresh water and a good
multi B complex will not only help with stress levels but can also reduce the
severity of hangovers that might occur after indulging a little too much. In keeping with the staying cool theme,
remembering the old saying “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday
sun” will alleviate dehydration and sunburn.
Stay in the shade between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm and if you have to
go out in the hot midday sun make sure to wear a shirt with long sleeves,
sunscreen and a suitable hat, necessities up here in the far north. Small doses of the sun’s rays are important
to maintain vitamin D levels and sun exposure is also great for pineal gland
regulation however, this can be achieved through more gentle and safer
ways. Early morning sunbaths are an
excellent way to get your daily dose of D vitamin.
Finally, and most importantly … try to see the silver
lining in every situation and strive to recognize “the lesson” in more
difficult situations. A positive mindset
might make all the difference to how you fare this coming holiday season.
Written by: Kym Hughes
Naturopath Calanna Pharmacy Kirwan
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