Considering the economic climate, many of us will no doubt be trying to
party our sorrows away this Christmas. Yet, while drinking and eating to excess might sound appealing, it won’t be long before your body starts to rebel.
Tiredness, weight gain and headaches are just nature’s way of telling you to take it easy. But before you get desperate and begin wasting your Christmas present budget on exciting-sounding vitamin injections, read on.
Pre-party preparation
Make a few adjustments to your routine, to see you through those late nights, and early mornings.
Eating at regular intervals, not skipping breakfast, and getting enough sleep, are good ways to help you maintain your energy levels.
Choose foods that are digested slowly. Wholegrain rye bread, pasta, beans, lentils and noodles are good choices and contain slow-release energy which may help prevent you from feeling lethargic during the day.
Foods we turn to when we’re hungover or skip meals can often make us feel the worst.
Foods that are high in sugar, such as chocolate, cakes, biscuits, and fizzy drinks, might give your body an instant energy rush when you eat and drink them. But, after the initial rush, your sugar levels will drop. And as they fall, so will your energy levels. As a result, you may find it more difficult to concentrate or you may feel irritable and tired. Likewise, drinking too much caffeine, found in tea, coffee, and cola drinks, can leave you feeling anxious, and restless.
None of which is good news for those planning to hit the office Christmas party with a bang. While mince pies might taste nice, they don’t contain everything you need to look and feel great.
There are essential nutrients that your body needs in order to work properly. Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals so you should eat at least five portions every day. Fats and sugars contain more energy than any other food group and so should make up the smallest part of your diet. Save them for special occasions. That way you can enjoy some treats, without the side effects.
Finally, exercise will not only burn off those extra party kilos, but keep you finally festive.
If you exercise regularly, you will benefit from the feel-good factor that you get afterwards. This is due to a release of a chemical called serotonin within your brain. Serotonin is your body’s way of making you feel happier and less stressed.
24-hour party people
Once you’re in the party mood, don’t let all your hard work slide as soon as you hit the pub. Heavy drinking plays havoc with our skin, liver and mental health.
In terms of alcohol, drinking a moderate amount is unlikely do you any physical or psychological harm.
However, for some people, social drinking can lead to heavier drinking, which can cause serious health problems. If you feel your social life revolves around alcohol or you’re unable to stop drinking once you start, you may have a problem. So don’t put your health at serious risk of conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, high blood pressure and mental health problems.
Men can drink between 3-4 units of alcohol per day without serious risk to health, and women 2-3 units.
Remember that a unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager.