This
year, the festive season is looking very different to Christmases past,
with the office party consigned to 2019 and Covid restrictions limiting
where we can go and who we can see.
While
the priority is undoubtedly to stay Coronavirus-free and help reduce
the risk to your family and friends too, there are a number of other
ways to ensure your best health this Christmas. Read
our top tips for winter wellbeing to see you through the remainder of
2020 and into the new year:
2020 vision
Eye care may
not be at the top of your winter health agenda but, as the days turn
frosty, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your peepers. Eyes
are highly susceptible to wintry temperatures, with cold weather and
strong winds likely to cause dryness and, in turn,
soreness and discomfort. In addition, you’re more likely to keep
windows closed at home and turn the heating up, decreasing humidity
levels.
According
to ophthalmologist Alistair Lockwood of Feel Good Contacts, there are a
number of things you can do to combat dry eyes, including maintaining a
healthy diet. This may sound difficult amid
all the treats we’re tempted to tuck into at Christmas, but fatty fish
such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring and sardines can make a
refreshing change from all that turkey! For vegetarians and vegans,
omega 3 is also found naturally in nuts and seeds such
as flaxseed and walnuts, as well as plant oils including flaxseed,
soybean and canola oil.
Alistair also recommends regularly resting your eyes (especially if glued to hours of Christmas TV!). Follow the 20-20-20
rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away.
A dry run
It
can be tempting to drink more alcohol than usual in December in the
best of years, let alone one as challenging as 2020. In times of stress –
such a global pandemic – we can find ourselves drinking
more and, if on annual leave, even starting earlier in the day.
Charity Alcohol Change UK has a
Coronavirus help and support
hub full
of practical tips on managing your intake and topping up your mental
health, which can help reduce that need to reach for the bottle opener.
The organisation also explains the
link between alcohol and poor sleep, and offers support if you’re
worried about a loved one. During the Christmas break, make sure you
drink plenty of water in between each alcoholic drink or check out these
festive alcohol-free drinks from
BBC Good Food.
A Covid-free Christmas
Sadly, with rates of confirmed Coronavirus cases rising exponentially in Wales and across the UK, the planned five-day window to see loved ones in your social ‘bubble’ has now been reduced to just Christmas Day. New national lockdown measures introduced from midnight on Sunday mean that households can now only form a bubble with one other household, plus an additional single person who lives alone – and only on December 25.
Other than on Christmas Day, travel is not permitted in, out of or around Wales unless it is essential, such as for education, childcare, providing care or working when you cannot work from home. The lockdown will be reviewed in three weeks. If you must leave home for essential purposes, keep washing or sanitising those hands, maintain a social distance and wear a mask in public spaces to reduce the risk as much as you can to yourself and those around you.
Yuletide emergencies
There are a number of precautions we can take to help prevent a ‘blue Christmas’, with this NHS Wales guide to staying healthy and avoiding emergencies. Should a health crisis occur, 999 is the number to call in a life-threatening situation, otherwise use the
NHS 111 Wales online symptom checker for symptoms including Coronavirus, falls, chest pain, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea and more, or call 111 for further advice.
The
NHS 111 symptom checker can also be used for dental emergencies such as
toothache, swelling or dental trauma, while you can find the
appropriate
dental helpline number for your health board area here.
Advent adventures
Maybe
it’s cold outside, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the
fresh air. Winter walks are the perfect way to burn off those extra
calories and you can liven up your route by heading out
after dark to see the Christmas lights in your locality. Stargazing on a
crisp winter’s night can be fun for all the family, while you could
also turn
your garden into a winter nature reserve and attract some new friends!
Your Plutus health plan
Don’t
forget that our health plans give you cash back each time you visit
your optician, dentist, physio and many other health professionals, or
attend a routine health appointment. We’re open until
(and including) Wednesday, December 23 and, although we’re largely
working from home at the moment, our customer care remains at its
excellent standard. Just phone 01633 266152 or email
admin@plutushealth.co.uk and
we’ll answer all your questions.
We
look forward to reopening on Monday, January 4 2021 and, in the
meantime, would like to wish all our customers a healthy and happy
Christmas and a prosperous new year.
From the Plutus Health team x
