Stay healthy during this Easter holiday

Mar 25, 2016

Easter season can prove to be busy and stressful. Whether we are travelling to be with family, celebrating by partying until late in the night or doing last-minute shopping, many people feel under pressure and the holiday season becomes one of the most catalysts of stress.

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The Easter season comes with lots of socializing and parties. But it can be difficult staying healthy and safe during this long holiday season. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy.

Avoid stress: the Easter season can prove to be busy and stressful. Whether we are travelling to be with family, celebrating by partying until late in the night or doing last-minute shopping, many people feel under pressure and the holiday season becomes one of the most catalysts of stress.

Rachael Nafuna, a counseling psychologist, says one of the ways to beat stress is through having enough sleep. "Avoid staying out late everyday. One can also avoid stress by engaging in leisure activities. You can read a book you have been looking forward to reading, go for a manicure and pedicure or massage.

Try to do things that make you happy because this is the time to rejuvenate yourself and restore your healthy by having as much rest as possible," Nafuna says. She further advises people to take lots of water, and exercise regularly.

Control your alcohol intake: Easter is a time to make merry, it is a time that comes with lots of partying and as expected, alcohol is in plenty.

"Sometimes we lose sight of a holiday celebration or party and see it as a chance or opportunity to drink socially. While it is such an opportunity, the main purpose of a party is to have fun. Drinking is always an option and it is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility," explains Dr. Moses Balinda at Mulago Hospital.

"Alcohol should always be taken in moderation or better still avoided altogether.  If you go overboard, find a friend or loved one, and tell them you would like to go home. You can stop yourself before you go too far, you just need to choose to do so," he adds.

Balinda explains that overdrinking has negative effects like drink driving which may result into accidents, humiliation before colleagues by acting inappropriately, insulting others or passing out. More still, Balinda advises against drinking on an empty stomach to reduce on the levels of intoxication in the body.

He also advises people to avoid leaving opened drinks unattended to, for example, when going to the toilet to avoid drink spiking. "Drink spiking can include the addition of extra alcohol or even drugs to drinks and could result in one doing something one would not normally do. You could end up in an unsafe situation," says Balinda.

Mixing drinks, for example, punching alcohol with energy drinks is also dangerous. Balinda explains that mixing such drinks makes one drink a lot and mask signs of inebriation. "When people mix energy drinks with alcohol, they end up drinking more than they would if they had just consumed alcohol, which can lead to several complications that come with alcohol intoxication, such as impaired memory, impaired concentration/coordination, decreased inhibitions, drink driving and many others," Balinda says.

Smokers are also advised not to endanger others while nonsmokers are advised to avoid second hand smoking. Researchers say that secondhand smoke triggers nicotine cravings and directly alters brain function, similar to actually smoking a cigarette.

Just like it is among smokers, secondhand smoke can result into lung cancer and heart disease deaths, the more reason smokers should protect their nonsmoking friends by smoking meters away from their friends.

Travel safely: The Easter season involves a lot of travelling, with many travelling upcountry to have Easter with family; however, taken precautions are vital to have a safe journey and a health festive season. Robinson Akampumuza, a traffic officer with the Uganda Police Force advises travellers to service their cars before embarking on the journey.

"Get your car serviced. Pay special attention to the brakes, steering, lights, tyres and windscreen wipers. Remember to check that your vehicle toolkit is in order. Have all emergency contact numbers handy and always have a first aid kit close,"Akampumuza says.

He also advises against taking medication that causes drowsiness as well as drinking alcohol if you plan on driving. Also, make sure all your passengers are secure and wearing their seatbelts. Stick to the speed limit and be observant and always expect the unexpected. Do not drive at the time you normally sleep. Many accidents occur at night so avoid driving at night if possible.

Prevent illness and injuries: The season involves a lot of socialising which calls for lots of shaking hands. To prevent illnesses that may arise, Dr. Balinda says washing hands regularly can do wonders. "Minimize shaking hands and wash your hands regularly. When invited for a cocktail party, ensure to wash hands before eating or pick your food using napkins and urge others to do the same," Balinda says.

Eat right: Overindulgence is a common practice during the Easter season, yet, unknown to many, festivities may suddenly turn sour as a result of binge eating. Though there are foods which many a time appear on a menu only during such times, indulging in moderation is recommended. Eat smaller meals instead of "saving yourself" for one huge buffet.

Binge eating usually leads to conditions such as constipation and indigestion. Dr Adrian Lubega at Mulago Hospital, says, overeating is dangerous, especially if it is done continuously over a long period of time.

"When a person overeats, the body is forced to work harder and food may be digested at a slow rate. This also means extra digestive workload, which requires the heart to pump more blood to the stomach and intestines," explains Dr Lubega. This may also result in dizziness and a heart attack. Another consequence of overeating is indigestion. This is a condition which causes a feeling of fullness or discomfort during or after a meal.

It may be accompanied by burning or pain in the upper stomach, belching and gas, growling of the stomach, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. To prevent indigestion, a person should eat food in smaller portions, spread throughout the day. This should be accompanied by drinking a lot of water.

Still on food, another tragedy that may befall you is food poisoning. Dr Lubega however says, one can prevent most cases of food poisoning by being careful when preparing and storing food. "Wash your hands and work surfaces while preparing food, cook foods to safe temperatures and refrigerate foods promptly. Be especially careful when you cook or heat perishable foods, such as eggs, meats, chicken fish, and milk,"Lubega says.

Exercise: Peter Atiku, a fitness instructor in Namugongo, Kampala, says during the festive season, most fitness facilities are empty as many of the patrons are out to have fun. However, Atiku encourages people to maintain their exercise and fitness regimes.

Atiku explains that exercising during this period helps to burn off the excess calories and fat gained over the same period. It can also get a person into the habit of exercising regularly after the Easter season is over.

"You can exercise at home, outdoor or in the gym. Common exercises to engage in include jogging around the house or on the road, swimming and playing a sport as a family. Make the festive season a fun-filled period, while at the same time ensuring that you remain healthy and fit,"Atiku explains.

 

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