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Health Buzz
The festive season is upon us!
And boy do we have a lot lined up.
This is the first Christmas with only a few restrictions since the first Covid-19 induced lockdown in 2020.
The first Christmas when most of those relatives who failed to travel home in the past two years will probably make it for the festive season.
The past two years have been filled with grief, sorrow, heartache, stress and many other negative emotions.
Many have experienced mental breakdowns; others have not completely healed from a bout of Covid-19 or other illnesses.
It definitely has not been easy, particularly for those who lost their loved ones.
So it makes sense that parties have been lined up for Christmas and may even spill over into the new year.
Just taking a walk in the Harare’s CBD gives you a feel of the high spirits that has engulfed the nation this festive season.
And deservedly so!
Why should we not celebrate this life?
During the pandemic stress was at an all-time high, so this will be a chance for everyone to step back from what has been upsetting them and truly relax.
Give yourself some love
Many have been so busy recovering from the pandemic and other situations that arose in between that they forgot all about themselves. This season should be a chance to find oneself and give yourself a little love. Deciding to spend your time giving yourself some tender loving care can make a huge difference in how you feel when returning to work next year.
It can help with your mental well-being and will improve your productivity.
Improve your social bonds
The pandemic had made us social outcasts as people avoided spending time with relatives and friends. But because human beings are social creatures, we should take time to be with our friends and families and restore the bond.
Just have Fun!
As we restore and recover, the most important thing is to have fun. Just taking time to enjoy yourself is an incredible feeling, and having fun is good for your mental and physical health.
But
Without putting a damper on the holidays, remember there is always a need to remain alert to the dangers that come with the festivities.
There is a lot to celebrate but it is important to remember to enjoy responsibly so as to not reverse all the gains that we have recorded in the past two years.
Too much of anything ceases to be good for you.
Food
While on holiday, most people tend to eat more than usual. When you eat too much, your digestive system has to work on overdrive, causing a spike in blood sugar, an upset stomach, and feelings of lethargy. Remember we will still need to use these bodies after the holidays. But you can always load up on healthy food if possible.
Alcohol
Alcohol is certainly bound to be plenty over the coming weeks.
It makes the party lively. But alcohol should always be consumed in moderation because too much drinking can have negative health consequences.
Besides its impact on your body, it can affect your actions and lead to negative permanent effects.
For the young ones, unintended pregnancies are usually a result of over indulging during such festivities. You drink until you cannot remember where you slept. You will definitely not remember who you were intimate with.
Chances of spreading STIs at some of these Vuzu parties that young people attend are also high. And most likely HIV. So why not avoid it?
Do not drink and drive
Drinking and driving endangers everyone on the road. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
Avoid smoking
Smokers have greater health risks because of their tobacco use. Non-smokers also are at risk when exposed to tobacco smoke.
Monitor children
Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, and other objects out of children’s reach. Protect them from drowning, burns, falls, and other potential accidents.
Food safety
Food poisoning is one of the worst challenges arising across the world. An estimated 600 million — almost 1 in 10 people in the world — fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420 000 die every year, resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy life years.
It becomes important to handle food properly during the holidays to avoid this.
Washing hands and surfaces often, avoiding cross-contamination, cooking foods to proper temperatures and refrigerating foods promptly could help.
Beware Covid-19 is still there
Many people believe that we are now free to mingle as we want. They think the relaxation of the Covid-19 regulations is a sign that we no longer have the disease among us. But that is far from the truth.
Many countries across the world are still reporting new outbreaks of the pandemic. New variants of the deadly disease are still being detected.
Zimbabwe is no exception. As we welcome our loved ones from across the world to spend a wonderful holiday together, we should not forget that we are still not immune.
A new outbreak can happen anytime so it is better to be alert and enjoy responsibly.
Outside parties may be better than indoors where there is less ventilation.
Vaccination
It is never too late to get your Covid-19 vaccine. Government is rolling out another vaccination campaign until the end of the year so why not get your family boosted. We need a healthy population to take us into a prosperous 2023.
Online Reporter