Online Reporter
Fadzayi Maposah
Correspondent
We are in the final countdown to one of the year’s most celebrated holidays. In the same vein, we are also in the bonus season.
Many people are smiling all the way to the bank as they receive their annual bonuses. There are those who have lists that they are ticking off in terms of the treats that they want this holiday season.
On the other hand, others are using the opportunity to clear the bills they accumulated over the year. Money has many varied uses. The same money that is used for treats, is used even to clear fees.
The way that the money is used is also determined by age, maturity and the responsibilities that one has on their shoulders. I have learnt not to judge when I see people spending their money. The key word there is “their”. I remember too the time when I was a lot younger and the responsibilities were less.
There are some supermarket aisles that I rarely visit these days that were the highlights of my shopping at some point in my life. I now visit these aisles for others mainly.
The toys section, for instance, is one area that I no longer frequent. When I look at the toys I remember the plastic crate that the girls used to keep their toys in. We have since given away the toys and the crate, but the memories linger on.
I remember when I started adult colouring after I was told that it was a good way to handle anxiety, I had to start again to get my bearings regarding were I could get the crayons in the supermarket.
Maybe it was because I had not been that section of the supermarket for a long time, but to be honest, it was so appealing. The bright colours were attractive.
The different shapes and sizes for the crayons alone were awesome. I felt young again and I was spoilt for choice. I had to tell myself to snap out of it, get some crayons and leave.
There is so much excitement regarding the festive season. It is treated by others as if it is a whole lifetime, when it is just a season. The expenditure for a few days can be cover months for others. But then it is their money.
There is a saying that goes “mhamba inonaka pana mai,” loosely translated it means that a beer is best enjoyed when one is in the company of a woman. I am sure that the reverse can also be said by females who relate to this saying that a beer can be enjoyed in the company of a man. Alcoholic drinks are some of the things that people will spend heavily on. The male and female company can translate into other issues health wise.
There are lights and tinsel everywhere. The environment is very inviting to be in a happy mood. The carols that sound everywhere contribute to the mood.
Sadly though, the festive season evokes different emotions for different people given that there are various memories that are triggered by the holidays.
We can’t expect everyone to be cheerful. The impact of the holidays is never the same for everyone. Think about it, emergency services are running at full throttle, while others are taking a break.
People celebrate. People are in the festive mood. Illness still happens.
There are people this holiday who are admitted in hospitals fighting different conditions.
Some are admitted for the first time, they are anxious, not sure how it will go. Some are fully aware of the dates, they know that out of hospital there are people who are preparing for the festive mood, with as much energy as they once did. The festive season cannot be easy for them mentally.
They battle mentally the environment that they are in and what is taking place outside the hospital.
Hospitals do their best to create the festive mood. Some hospitals are already decorated, doing their best to bring the festive mood to the patients. Physically and mentally, the patients are in pain. They would have liked to be elsewhere, but their bodies and their health dictated otherwise.
It is important that these people allow their bodies to heal understanding that the festive season is just that, a season, not the entire life.
Other patients admitted to hospitals have no idea what day of the year it is. Time is not important to them. Even if it was important, they are not sure what it really means. They are disoriented.
Out of hospitals there are many people who are planning to embark on escapades that may affect their health.
They are planning to eat till they cannot take no more.
They are planning to drink a lot. I am not talking about drinking smoothies, water or tea. They are planning to drink a lot of alcohol until they are confused and they are not sure what they will happen to them.
Being drunk will result in a lot of bad decisions that ultimately affect their health. Many have become drunk and indulged in activities that have had long term effects on their health.
Think about it, being drunk for a few hours, indulge in sexual activity for a few minutes, one gets pregnant (not as part of the plan) then it signals the start of a responsibility that spans many years.
See the multiplication effect. One may not get pregnant (being pregnant relating to both parties involved), but may have signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections just after the New Year holiday.
Short episodes of pleasure may result in one scratching due to itchiness in the very part of the bodies that are deemed private.
There could be discharge from areas that should not have discharge oozing or it can have a foul smell. What about sores?
Do you really want sores on your private parts that remind you that you got carried away during a few days of pleasure?
Take care of your health this festive season. Do not be fooled by the colours, the songs and the decorations.
It may be that when the music stops and the decorations and the lights come down, your health may have declined and more money may be required to get treatment.
#Day 347 of 365 of 2025.
