BS, Dietetics and Nutrition
The festive period is one that is supposed to be filled with joy and happiness. However, this is not the case if you spend the entire period wrapped up in bed because you do not feel well. Nevertheless, this is what could easily happen if you do not take care of your mind and body during this period. With that being said, we are going to take a look at some of the different ways you can look after your health and wellbeing during the festive period.
Boost your immunity during this period by taking vitamins
“Vitamin supplements during the winter can boost your immune system up a few notches” – Pharmacist Stuart Gale from Oxford Online Pharmacy tells nutriinspector.com
During the winter months, your immunity is going to go down, which is why you need to make an effort to counteract this. This is even more so the case if you live in an area that is particularly cold, such as the UK.
When this is the case, it can be very difficult to stay active and get the amount of exercise that you need. As a consequence of this, you will find that your immune system tends to drop. This is why we tend to come down with more illnesses during the festive period than we would at other points throughout the year.
One of the best ways to counteract this is by taking vitamins that are shown to boost your immune system. There are a number of different vitamins that can help to boost your immune system, yet vitamin C is one of the best. Vitamin C is one of the greatest immune system boosters of them all. You can be more prone to getting sick if you do not have enough vitamin C in your body. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include broccoli, kale, spinach, bell peppers, strawberries, tangerines, grapefruits, and oranges.
You should also consider taking vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. Foods rich in vitamin E include the likes of spinach, seeds, and nuts. Vitamin B6 can also be beneficial, helping to support biochemical reactions in the immune system. Foods that are rich in vitamin B6 include the likes of chickpeas, green vegetables, cold-water fish, and chicken.
Put your mental health first
While the festive period can be enjoyable for a lot of people, it can also be a difficult time for a lot of others. There are many different reasons why this is the case. For some people, it can be challenging because they have lost a loved one and so this time of year makes them feel sad. For others, they may be experiencing financial trouble, and this can make Christmas quite a difficult time for them.
No matter what your struggles may be, it is important that you are kind to yourself. Put your mental health first. You should not feel forced to purchase Christmas presents if you can’t afford them. You should not feel forced to go to parties that you don’t want to go to. Put your own thoughts and feelings first and do what makes you happy. If you are noticing that your mental health is starting to deteriorate, be proactive. Booking a session with a therapist can make all of the difference.
Adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines and be extra cautious
This year, we have one more thing to worry about over the festive period. Of course, we’re talking about Covid! We’re still in the middle of a pandemic, and so it is important to be safe while you are out and about, and mixing with others.
You need to make sure that you wear your mask, socialise outside whenever possible (some heaters would make a good investment at this time of year!), and wash your hands diligently.
While it is frustrating to still be at the stage of having to follow guidelines, it would be even more upsetting if you had to spend Christmas in isolation because you caught Covid. Therefore, it makes sense to be extra cautious about the virus.
Prioritise getting sufficient sleep
During the festive period, one thing that we often do not get enough of is sleep! However, it is important to make sure you get those recommended six to eight hours per evening.
Also, try to stay in your regular sleep pattern as much as possible. We know it can be difficult to go to bed and wake up at the same time as you would over the normal working week. Nevertheless, if you do so, it can really help you to feel well-rested and ensure you don’t experience irritability and other potential health risks that come with a lack of sleep.
Drink alcohol in moderation
While a bit of alcohol can make you feel relaxed during the festive period, try to be cautious about the amount you consume. While drinking beers, wine, and spirits can make you feel great at the time, it can inevitably result in you feeling very low and irritable.
If you drink within the recommended alcohol guidelines, it means you will get to enjoy your festive tipple of choice, yet you do not have to deal with the negative impact it has on your mood.
Plus, alcohol can often result in disagreements and arguments, which is another reason why it makes sense to be cautious about the amount that you consume.
Final words
So there you have it: some different tips to follow to make sure you stay safe and healthy this festive period. If you follow the advice that we have mentioned above, you should give yourself the best chance of staying fighting fit during the festive holiday time.
