by: Modupe Ojuade and Funmilayo Abudu
Everyone loves the festive periods! With their lots of hustling, bustling, and merriment, we all look forward to them. While some people would like to reunite with old friends and have fun, others are under a lot of pressure to end the year with the achievement of all the goals that had been set for the year.
Whatever the case may be, the festive period is the time when many people neglect their health while focusing on other aspects of their lives. For example, people enrolled in gym classes may start reducing their attendance, more people travel and miss their medical checkups, while some others get distracted and miss their routine drugs.
Worse still, some people forget to monitor their blood pressure or blood sugar level, and others ease down on proper nutrition and begin consuming eat lots of unhealthy diets, among others. The changes in lifestyle and attitude towards health during this period increase the occurrence of some medical conditions, one of which is stroke.
A Stroke is a medical condition that results from the interruption of blood supply to the brain.
A stroke results in an injury to or the death of the brain cells that lack blood supply, leading to different forms of physical disability in the person affected. This disability affects the functionality of the individual and subsequently causes a burden on the caregivers and society at large. Clearly, it is better to prevent a stroke from occurring, prevention is always the best approach.
The festive seasons bring some risk factors for higher rates of strokes just as they bring much fun and enjoyment. Some of these risk factors include:
Stress
The level of physical and psychological exertion increases during the festive periods. This puts many people at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and by extension, strokes.
Anxiety
Yes, there are many activities packaged for the end of the year, and endless expectations from society, and family. These factors may contribute to the risk of having a stroke.
Poor Diet
All year long, people work and save to have a great holiday time. So, why should they not enjoy all the treats and the delicious condiments prepared with generous fats, salts, and artificial sweeteners? Plus, there is enough alcohol to go around for days.
Weather
The end of the year festive season is generally colder than the rest of the year. So, there are body processes that occur, such as the constriction of blood vessels that can lead to an increased risk of having a stroke.
Low Physical Activity
Since it is December, we just want to have fun, so the gym can wait. Often, the commonest form of exercise people do during the festive periods is to move their mouths more because they generally eat more.
Reducing the Risks of Stroke During the Festivities
Even during the festivities, health is still wealth. We have some recommendations and tips for you to stay healthy during the festive periods.
Monitor Your Health
Your blood sugar level and blood pressure should still be monitored daily. Incorporate regular checks of your health status into your schedule before being immersed in the busy duties of the festivities.
Eat Healthily
Do not get slack with what you consume during the celebrations. Alcohol intake and salt amounts in food should still be kept within limits during the holidays.
Stay Active
You can decide not to sleep each time you have the opportunity during the festive season. Take regular steps per day and remain active all through the festive seasons.
Stress Management
A good fact to remember is that not all the challenges or expectations of the year would be met in December. Rest assured that good things happen in January also. Learn to manage your stress levels and reduce leveraging too many expectations at the end of the year.
Plan Your Activities
Do you need to do some shopping, or host a family annual meeting? Plan ahead, and allow a lot of time to reach your goals. Do not keep your executions to the last minute to avoid getting caught in a rush. Also, if you have more duties during the festive period, try to use some help from others.
Keep Warm
When the low temperatures arrive, try to keep warm to avoid the negative effects of the temperature on your body and health.
From all of us at the Stroke Survivors’ Support and Rehabilitation Club of Nigeria, we wish you a happy celebration!