We’re hurtling towards the most wonderful time of the year. The air is filled with the scent of summer activities like barbeque snags and the sea breeze, the anticipation of all the fun coming our way.
Now is the perfect time to harness the excited energy you’re feeling and channel it into creating a plan for ensuring that your Christmas is both joyful and healthy – yes, you can have both!
Inevitably, as we approach the festive season, our to-do lists start to lengthen and, although the days get longer, it often feels like time shrinks. The key to a healthy festive season is having a plan that includes summer recipes and family activities. Here are our five tips for a healthy, happy Christmas and how you can get a head start on them now.
1.Have holistic holiday health
Prepare
So you can enjoy all the summer activities with your family, get the boring – but essential – stuff out of the way now. Make sure you're up to date with your regular doctor checkups and if you’re not, make a booking with us now.
Before the summer holidays, go to the doctor for a checkup and then schedule your next appointment so you can really relax over the Christmas holidays. Don’t let the busyness of your school holiday activities get in the way of ensuring you’re looking after your ongoing health.
Vaccinate
Thankfully, the last two years of pandemic-ruined Christmases are behind us. Most of us are approaching the summer months without the same apprehension that we’ve had for the last few years and that alone is worth celebrating. Enjoy your time with your loved ones, and celebrate this festive season. But, don’t be complacent; it’s important that you keep up to date with your vaccinations, both COVID-19 and otherwise.
Plan
If you are expecting visitors over the summer holidays – perhaps grandparents or lots of young children - plan ahead in case of emergencies. This simple tip won’t take you long and ensures that you and your family are prepared in the unlikely event that you have a medical emergency during your summer holidays.
As part of your plan, write down emergency numbers, the location of your closest hospital and the best way you can access after hours care. Stick this information on your fridge. We are of course here for you during our regular opening hours but we will be taking a break ourselves.
You can access after hours care via the National Home Doctor Service or calling 13SICK (13 74 25).
2. Functional festive feasting
In the frenzy of the festivities, try and find balance. This balance comes from both having a plan and being gentle with yourself.
Firstly, let’s talk about your festive feasting plan. As you might leave out snacks for Santa, find some summer recipes to cook and then stock the freezer with healthy meals so you can defrost something nutritious after a busy day rather than reaching for the takeaway menus.
There is such a thing as healthy Christmas recipes; think salads full of leafy greens and crunchy nuts; or charred vege kebabs on the barbeque. Summer recipes are the perfect time to take advantage of the abundance of produce at this time of year. Get the kids involved and make icy poles out of real fruit or berry crumbles that ooze festive colours (if berries are expensive or you can’t get to the supermarket, freezer berries work just as well and often hold their nutrients better!)
During weeks where you are eating out or attending parties, plan for two at-home meals. If you’re heading to a festive party, consider bringing a healthy option; try some fresh rice paper rolls or a beautiful non-alcoholic mixed drink. We guarantee that you’re not the only one trying to make healthier choices this Christmas, and your friends will love you for it.
Secondly, once you have your plan, acknowledge that you are celebrating and be open to indulgence. Allow yourself dessert or a second serve, safe in the knowledge that you’ve planned lots of healthy Christmas recipes for the rest of the school holidays.
3. Be alcohol aware
If you drink alcohol, you might have noticed that your intake tends to creep up over the holidays; we’re likely more relaxed, we’re celebrating the end of another big year and we’re socialising more.
During the summer holidays – and ideally all year around - be aware of your alcohol intake. It’s lovely to share a champagne, or ice cold beer with colleagues or family but here are some tips to be more alcohol aware and have a healthier Christmas:
Plan activities that don’t revolve around alcohol: this is easier during the warmer months with so many Sunshine Coast activities revolving around being outside in nature.
Drink One, Water One: if you’re at a party, try the classic “DOWO” trick; Drink One, Water One. It will make a huge difference to both your evening, and the next morning.
Don’t top up: finish your drink completely, before topping up. This will help you monitor how many you’ve had.
We’ve talked about celebratory drinking but there are times when alcohol may be used to mask feelings of anxiety or loneliness. Christmas holidays may trigger some of these feelings and if you notice that you’re drinking unhealthily, you can seek help or make an appointment with your GP for a mental health care plan.
4. Maintain momentum with movement
Movement is essential for your overall physical health and has many mental health benefits also. There’s an abundance of family activities on the Sunshine Coast that are cost effective and outdoors.
Here are some easy ways to maintain movement:
Set a family goal to try one new activity a week – try kayaking in the everglades or visit one of the many national parks in our beautiful state.
Make sure you get outside together for an hour each day – you could even go screen free during this time.
Sign up for a fun run (or walk!) in January – you and your family can work towards a fitness goal together during the school holidays.
While you’re enjoying time outside remember to Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide during the holidays. Being sun safe is essential all year around, but particularly Christmas holidays and the long, languid days spent outside is prime time for sunburn. Once the holidays are over, continue with your sun safe routine and get your moles checked – you can learn more about what a cancer screening involves and make an appointment for a mole check.
5. Mental health matters
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, but is often neglected especially when life gets busy. Making a plan to prioritise your mental health this festive season is going to not only benefit you enormously but also those around you - if you are struggling, you won’t be able to enjoy the end of year celebrations with your loved ones.
Physical and mental health are intrinsically linked and all the things we’ve talked about so far contribute to your overall health.
Make a plan to:
Exercise regularly: use our tips above to get your family involved.
Eat well: plan healthy meals, and be gentle with yourself when you overindulge.
Maintain healthy sleep habits: try leaving your phone outside of the bedroom, or having a screen free day with the whole family.
Continue with your established routines: mediate in the morning, don’t cancel your therapy appointments, and prioritise getting to your yoga class.
We’ve rounded up some of our other mental health tips here, and if you feel overwhelmed it does help to speak to a professional – as daunting as that may feel. We pride ourselves on our mental healthcare at Peregian Family Medical Centre and can support you to find the help you need.
If part of your plan is to get your health check in before Christmas, or you’re already feeling stressed about the holidays, make an appointment to see one of our doctors – we will help support you. Book your appointment online today or call Peregian Family Medical Centre on 07 5471 2100.
All information is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Peregian Family Medical Centre can consult with you to confirm if this advice is right for you.
