The holiday season is upon us, it’s December, finally!

Andile Tshuma ,Chronicle Reporter

THERE’S so much to celebrate, especially the gift of life. Many have not made it this far, but if you are reading this, then you are still counted in the land of the living. The year may have had its ups and downs, it might have been tough and, some may have scored several notable wins. But we all wrap it up looking forward to a brighter sunrise in 2023. Few experiences in life could be as peaceful as taking in the calm, warm beauty of the setting sun. As the golden ball descends below the horizon, creating colourful romantic shades of red and orange across the sky, the world has a chance to breathe in and rejuvenate. While sunsets are a literal end to a day, they’ve also become symbols of peace, harmony, and the promise of renewal.

 

The festive season, likewise, heralds the end of a year and the ushering in of a new one. It is therefore expected that people will want to soak in the moment, and bask in the glory of these beautiful rays, which are the last days of the year. So many activities are lined up for the celebrations, and there’s a lot of merry-making. Unfortunately, some tend to go overboard with celebrations and things get pretty ugly. As people prepare for holidaying and merry-making, it is good to remember that there is life after the holiday season.
While it may be good to indulge a little, we all deserve to let go and let loose once in a while, it is wise to keep your health in check and avoid souring the festive mood with a trip to the emergency room, remember, actions have consequences so you may not want to find yourself regretting.

First things first, stay in your lane. There’s been enough January disease for people to have learnt the drill by now. Do not allow the pressure of what your friends and relatives entice you to match their orders and purchases. You run parallel households and you may never really know their financial standings, so it is never worth it.

January disease is a disease that needs a doctor’s attention if people fail to stay in their lane of spending during the holiday. It sounds silly but give it some thought, depression and stress can catch up with you because of poor holiday spending habits.
Have a happy month of festivities and please remember that fun is not defined by overindulgence.
Don’t spoil your season by having to brush shoulders with the doctors. Remember to avoid driving if you have been drinking alcoholic beverages, and for your safety, do not be driven by someone who has been drinking. Hospitals are the last place you would want to be in during the holidays.

A little thrill is not worth your limb, it is therefore good to enjoy the holidays responsibly.
Holidays are a perfect time to enjoy yourself without feeling guilty. It’s good to get out of the boring eating routines, the crash diets. If you always eat like a rabbit, not because you are vegan but because you are trying so hard to cut down your calorie intake, holidays can be so tempting.
The teas, lunches and perennial dinners allow you to cheat the system once, twice and for the umpteenth time.

However, if you have eating disorders and are battling serious wars with food, it is wiser to stay disciplined during this time as it is not so easy getting back to the routine after a month-long period of festivities and feasting.
December is a time when we all eat with a guilt-free conscience. We don’t mind two, three or four extra servings of our favourite dishes. But this is the time most people get sick as well, bloated, runny tummies, food poisoning, and especially from poorly stored leftovers.

While we enjoy our food during this time, I think we must be responsible and take just as much as our bodies can bear.
If you are diabetic, stick to the rules, indulge a little but stay in the right lane. No amount of merry-making is worth dicing with your health. Trips to hospitals and clinics are not nice during this time of the year.All in the name of fun and being in the holiday spirit, some people end up having lifelong regrets. Just because it’s December does not mean you should let your guard down. Guard your sexual life jealously. If you cannot control the urge and are to sleep with a sexual partner someone other than your regular partner, then by all means condomise. Not just to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but there’s HIV, and other STIs as well.

When it comes to alcohol, drink in moderation, you do not want to be a public nuisance because you have taken more than your system can safely bear. Also, avoid experimenting with new types of alcohol in public zones, if your system and the alcohol decide that they are not friends, you do not want to be the talk of the town until the next holidays when a new fool takes over from you. While there may be a lot of variety in terms of drinks available, it is much wiser to stick to what you know, to avoid embarrassment. This one is for the ladies, if you are to be outgoing, ensure that you are in the company of people you trust, and never leave your drink unattended, there are so many cases of people getting drugged, raped and who knows what else. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers and just stay safe.
Happy holidays, enjoy, stay safe and avoid overindulging.