Surviving the silly season
December officially marks the start of the “Silly Season”. For most of us that means crazy work schedules (particularly for those who work in retail), overflowing social calendars as we try to “catch up” with as many people as possible before Christmas, and if you are lucky, maybe even a holiday! No matter what your “Silly Season” involves, our helpful tips will help you survive the craziness the Christmas period brings and ensure you start 2017 with a bang!
1. DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! Whilst it may be inevitable that your alcohol intake will increase over this period, many of us forget to increase our water intake during the Summer months. Water is necessary not only for carrying nutrients around the body, but it is also essential in the detoxifying process. Drinking alcohol and caffeine both require you to increase your water intake. Did you know that by the time our brain tells us that we are feeling thirsty, we are already de-hydrated? It is recommended that we need to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. If you are feeling particularly dehydrated after heavy exercise or a big night at the office Christmas party, an electrolyte replacement is a great way to re-hydrate quickly. Water is also a great filler to use before heading out to those Christmas parties and all their delicious treats, as feeling full makes those yummy treats easier to resist.
2. MANAGE YOUR STRESS December can also be a time where your busy work and social schedule and added financial
pressure can make you feel like you’re running a month long marathon, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted. It has been proven that regular exercise reduces stress levels, but did you know that something as simple as getting outside in the fresh air and talking a walk around the block can help you relax and release tension? Increased stress levels put a strain on your overall health, so eating a healthy diet is important to help maintain your immune system. There is also a wide variety of supplements available to help manage stress, increase your energy and boost your immune system. Lastly, don’t over commit your time or your
resources. Remember, “It is OK to say no!” and “It’s the thought that counts!”
3. BE SUNSMART If you are lucky enough to have some time off over the Silly Season and have planned some well earned R&R, remember to be sun smart. Over 400000 people are treated for non-melanoma skin cancer in Australia each year. You can lessen your chance of adding to that statistic by following a few simple rules.
Make sure you use a sunscreen with an appropriate level SPF. Skin can burn in as little as 15 minutes in our hot summer sun. Sunscreen needs to be applied 20 minutes
before exposure and re-applied every 2 hours.
Wear a hat. Not only can they be stylish, but they provide great protection for the head, face and neck areas. Wide brimmed or bucket styles are best. Choose your hat wisely, keeping in mind that if you can see through it – the UV rays can pass through it. Closely woven fabrics provide the best protection.
Where possible, limit the amount of time spent in the sun during the hottest part of the day, (generally between 10am & 3pm) and choose shaded or covered areas when outdoors.
If you would like more information on products available to help you through the “Silly Season”, the friendly staff at Priceline Pharmacy Grand Central, Priceline Pharmacy Northpoint and Priceline Pharmacy Westridge would be happy to help you. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our valued customers a SAFE & HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a GREAT 2017.