Tips To Avoid Holiday Health Risks

Overeating/weight gain. Holiday cookies, eggnog, and left-over food are just some of the things many of us indulge, or over-indulge, in during the holidays. While everyone should feel free to enjoy the holidays with some treats, many feel a lack of self-control when surrounded by delicious foods and desserts. Eating too much once in a while, such as during the holidays, is normal. However, some people overeat as a way to cope with negative emotions. It’s important to know the difference and if need be, take control. Overeating can cause heartburn, indigestion, and lethargy.

 

How to avoid overeating/weight gain:

Beware of emotional triggers

Drink at least two glasses of water before you eat

Eat slowly and wait 20 minutes before going back for more

Eat small amounts of a variety of foods

Don’t skip your exercise routine just because it’s the holidays

Drinking too much alcohol. 40% of people use the holidays as an excuse to drink. While it’s fun to have a few drinks to let loose, it’s important to recognize that alcohol is also often over-used to cope with stress. You must know your limit. Alcohol can increase depression, contribute to sleep-loss, and cause weight gain.

 

How to limit alcohol intake:

Limit yourself to two drinks total during social gatherings

Or, at least limit yourself to no more than one drink per hour

Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water to avoid hangovers

 

Stress. During the holidays, seven out of ten people say they feel stressed. Money, loneliness, family conflict, missing loved ones, being overwhelmed with activities, are the most common reasons people feel stressed at this time. 

 

How to avoid/cope with holiday stress:

Prioritize with a holiday to-do list

Get rid of any unrealistic expectations

Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise

 

Accidents. Each year, there are about 15,000 holiday-related accidents and at least 12,000 visits to the emergency room. More than 5,000 injuries are from decorating-related injuries. Car accidents are most often due to drunk drivers or bad weather. 

Eat slowly and wait 20 minutes before going back for more

Eat small amounts of a variety of foods

Don’t skip your exercise routine just because it’s the holidays

 

Drinking too much alcohol. 40% of people use the holidays as an excuse to drink. While it’s fun to have a few drinks to let loose, it’s important to recognize that alcohol is also often over-used to cope with stress. You must know your limit. Alcohol can increase depression, contribute to sleep-loss, and cause weight gain.

 

How to limit alcohol intake:

Limit yourself to two drinks total during social gatherings

Or, at least limit yourself to no more than one drink per hour

Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water to avoid hangovers

 

Stress. During the holidays, seven out of ten people say they feel stressed. Money, loneliness, family conflict, missing loved ones, being overwhelmed with activities, are the most common reasons people feel stressed at this time. 

 

How to avoid/cope with holiday stress:

Prioritize with a holiday to-do list

Get rid of any unrealistic expectations

Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise

 

Accidents. Each year, there are about 15,000 holiday-related accidents and at least 12,000 visits to the emergency room. More than 5,000 injuries are from decorating-related injuries. Car accidents are most often due to drunk drivers or bad weather. 

David Samadi, MD - Medical Contributor

View posts by David Samadi, MD - Medical Contributor
Dr. Samadi is a board-certified urologic oncologist trained in open and traditional and laparoscopic surgery and is an expert in robotic prostate surgery. He is chairman of urology, chief of robotic surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital and professor of urology at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. He is a medical correspondent for the Fox News Channel's Medical A-Team. Learn more at roboticoncology.com. Visit Dr. Samadi's blog at SamadiMD.com. Follow Dr. Samadi on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
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