5 Tips to Stay Healthy During This Festive Season
It’s that time again. The silly season. When we drink more, eat with abandon, and take a break from our normal routine.
At Canning Healthcare, we love the festive season. We enjoy spending more time with our families and catching up with friends.
But in January, we see more injuries and illness than any other time of the year. Our naturopath Kirsty notices her patients feeling low in energy and experiencing poor digestion.
Effects of the Silly Season
It’s no surprise there’s a spike in injuries and illnesses over the silly season — we all get a bit silly! We hurry to meet deadlines for the end of the year, throw ourselves into hectic social schedules, exercise less, and make poorer food choices because of all the temptation.
We lose balance in our lives and this affects us mentally and physically. It’s a shame though, as we end up starting January feeling worse for wear.
With this in mind, we asked the team to share their top tips on staying healthy over the festive season. Don’t worry, we’re not going to be too hard on you - we’re not the fun police! But there are some small changes you can make to encourage a healthier frame of mind for 2020.
5 Tips to Stay Healthy During This Festive Season
1. Take regular driving breaks
Driving down south or up north? Take regular breaks. Road accidents increase over the holidays so staying alert is important. If you suffer from back or neck problems, driving can exacerbate injuries. Get out of the car, stretch your legs and walk around. Once you arrive at your destination, avoid sitting back down for a while. Take a quick walk to loosen up your muscles and joints.
2. Provide healthier drinks
Hosting a Christmas lunch or dinner? Make water available for your guests. Give it a bit of interest by infusing the water with fruit or herbs for flavour. Our naturopath Kirsty’s favourite is frozen raspberries, lemon and mint, or sparkling water with a splash of elderflower cordial. Love wine? Opt for an organic biodynamic brand to reduce stress on the liver and take the edge off your hangover.
3. Get outdoors
Many of us take a break from our regular exercise routine to rest and recharge for the new year. But make sure you’re still moving in other ways. Usually go to the gym? Try incorporating some outdoor activities with the family to stay active. A bike ride, hike, or a day at the beach playing cricket. Regular walker? A few days off is fine, but any longer will make it difficult to get back into it when the new year begins.
4. Take time out
The festive season is a blessing or a curse depending on your personality. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, Christmas and New Year is as much about connecting with yourself as it is with family and friends. Our acupuncturist Jasmine recommends setting realistic social plans and commitments to avoid stress. Take the opportunity to unwind. Go for a long walk on the beach, read a book under a shady tree, or spend time doing something creative. The new year will be here before you know it so enjoy the break while it lasts.
5. Swap heavy foods for healthier options
We tend to pick at food regardless of what’s in the bowl. So swap the bowls of chocolates and lollies on the table with some summer cherries, blueberries and nuts. Love your cheese and dips? Instead of dips with oils, cream cheese and flavour enhancers, make your own. Cashews mixed with olive oil, basil, tinned or roasted beetroot with cannellini beans, almonds and dill is a yummy one! Too much meat and bread is often the culprit of digestion problems. So make lots of salads with your meals, like leafy greens, pomegranate seeds, walnuts and oranges.
Bonus tip: Keep up your chiropractic care. We do get busy over the festive season so it’s best to book ahead for the new year.
