You’re lazing in the sun on the beach, going for daily ice-cream runs and party day is every day. Still, for all the highs of the summer holidays, there can be just as many lows if you don’t play it safe. Make the most of summer; the healthy and safe way.
Category: Healthy Lifestyle
Live in the moment this summer
Car selfies, gym selfies, bathroom selfies… We live in a world filled with selfie-takers, and you’re probably one of them. Chances are you’ve snapped one or two today already. Guilty?
Boozing: how much is too much?
Alcohol can be enjoyable and get a good buzz going, especially when the festive season arrives. When you’re having a great time, it’s difficult to keep track of the amount of booze you’re throwing back, but it’s important to protect your health. And, to do this, you need to know your drinking limits.
Have health, will travel
Getting your passport stamped, packing for that exotic locale, and setting foot in another country… it doesn’t get more fun than that. A whole new adventure awaits, but it can quickly turn sour if you aren’t well prepared.
Whether it’s your first or fifth time travelling abroad, there are a few things you can and should do to ensure you have a healthy, safe trip, and come back in one piece.
Six ways to kick off your new year
We’ve all experienced the new year downer. You haven’t planned your budget so you enter the first month with empty pockets. You’re running around like a headless chicken trying to get the kids enrolled in school, and your exercise routine and meal plan is a bust.
When holiday season kicks in, so should planning for the new year. It’s easy to get caught up in buying gifts. So, in order to prevent falling into the new year grind and rut, here’s how you can organise your life before the party starts.
How to get off the booze train
The holidays are upon us, and for many people this means overindulging, but at what cost? Is it possible to have a booze-free festive season? Yes it is!
Think not? These delicious non-alcoholic beverages may change your mind.
When your food fights back
Food poisoning is no picnic, and the best way to treat it, is to not get it in the first place. Here’s what you need to know, so you can spend your holiday on your towel, not the toilet!
How to avoid and treat sunstroke
Summer is here. And, so are long, sun-baked days at the beach.
Planning to catch a tan? It may seem like a good idea, but soaking up too much sun can be really dangerous and may even increase your risk for sunstroke.
Party the smart way, this season
You know the drill. Late nights, a bottomless bar tab and food that makes your waistline cringe. Taking on the new year is hard enough, without the added mission of getting back into shape and piecing your routine back together, blurry memory in tow. You can have your fun and healthy living too, if you find a balance.
Is your job too much work?
Every day feels like a Monday. You feel like exiting your office as soon as you sit down and time seems to drag as you struggle to get through your tasks for the day. Your job offers financial stability, a place where you can hone your skills, a creative space and a sense of purpose. If you find yourself struggling to tick off any of these boxes, it might be time to make a change and jump on the career-change train.
10 ways to prep for festival season
Whether you’re into ground-vibrating trance music or soulful jazz, festival season has something for everyone. To enjoy it to its full potential, keep your health in check for the party ahead.
1. Stay hydrated
You may think booze in paper cups and the occasional caffeine run will be enough to keep you going on your festival weekend, but water will keep you buzzing more than any beer can. Dehydration causes dizziness, headaches and in some cases, loss of consciousness, so if you want to continue jumping around to your favourite tunes without a hiccough, pack plenty of water and suss out the closest water stops.
2. Fuel up
The food that you eat amounts to the total of energy you will have for your fun weekend ahead, so munch wisely. Bring your own food options along to ensure that your digestion and energy levels are kept in check. Great options are nuts, oats and dried fruit. Tinned foods are great because they come with a container to eat from. Use cooler bags to pack in fruits, veggies and other fresh foods.
3. Catch some Zs
You might feel vibrant and alive while you’re belting it out with everyone else to that song that touches your soul but if you don’t get enough sleep you’ll be burnt out before the next track. Bring along earplugs to ensure that you can grab a few hours of sleep to reboot for the next jam session and resist the temptation to party all night long.
4. Grab some shade
Everyone loves a golden summer tan, but getting roasted is not the best idea. Bring along a good hat, sunscreen and appropriate clothes for different heat levels. Besides sunburn, you should also keep the danger of heat stroke in mind, so keep a hat or umbrella close at all times.
5. Pop your pills
It’s easy to forget to take your prescription pills in between partying, so set up schedules for yourself to follow.  Set an alarm, write it on your arm or ask your friends to remind you.
6. Watch the booze
You can have great time without alcohol, but if you want a drink, try to limit yourself.  Excessive drinking of alcohol and caffeine may increase your anxiety levels and dehydration – not what you want at a festival!
7. Stay regular
Your favourite feel-good jams are playing and the atmosphere is magical, as everyone sways their arms in the air. You would be having the time of your life, if you weren’t suffering from indigestion, courtesy of that oily burger you had for lunch, as well as standing in bathroom queues. Snack on prunes and chia seeds, drink apple and orange juice and use the bathroom when you need to, to keep your tummy happy.
8. Take a break
Being in a crowd full of people, with loud music and incessant excitement can be draining for most people. Be sure to sneak in a break between the partying. Sit alone under a tree, take a nap in your tent or lay on the grass and cloud gaze.
9. Make friends
If your friends aren’t into the festival scene, strike up a conversation with some of your fellow music enthusiasts to make a festival buddy. Making friends will not only mean your experience is more enjoyable, but if anything happens concerning your health or safety, you are better off in numbers.
10. Map it out
Before you start your music adventure, study your surroundings. Research the available food stands, find the bathrooms, performance areas and spots for tents. Use a map if it is available or walk around to form a map in your head.
Worried about the signs of skin cancer? Log in about the signs and symptoms, and how to prevent it. If you’re not a member yet, why not sign up now? Our doctors are available around the clock, with advice you can trust!
References:
http://thechalkboardmag.com/how-to-stay-healthy-at-a-festival
http://www.fashionmagazine.com/beauty/health/2016/04/14/festival-season-health-guide/http://www.gigwise.com/features/91179/15-ways-to-physically-and-mentally-prepare-for-festival-season
7 toxic everyday habits
We do so many things each day that are dangerous to our well-being – some we aren’t even aware of. Are you guilty of one or more of these health-sabotaging habits?