WOMAN’S GP DR HELEN WALL ON HER TOPIC OF THE WEEK
The REAL reason you always get sick at Christmas
Germs go with winter like turkey goes with stuffing, but amidst all the present wrapping, party planning and prepping, there are ways to help yourself stay well
Feeling the strain of Christmas? Yes, there’s definitely too much to do and not enough time to do it. And, as if that isn’t reason enough to lose your head (and apologies for being the voice of doom), there’s also a good chance that you’re about to drop to the wayside with illness.
Whether it’s a niggly cough and the sniffles, the dreaded COVID-19, flu or the ghastly winter vomiting bug, why does this always seem to happen at the worst possible time?
December doom and gloom
Unfortunately, the weather can play a big part. Cold dark days mean that we mainly spend our times together indoors, central heating blasting and windows firmly shut. That summer stroll to work? It’s long gone, and public transport is as packed as our December calendar, meaning cards and presents aren’t all we’re giving to each other.
And that’s not all. As much as we like to feel fuzzy and warm when we think of the festivities, the reality is that stress can have a big impact on health and wellbeing. A packed social calendar, family fall-outs, the perfect food and presents to plan and ever-rising costs to buy them can send our stress levels into the stratosphere.
In turn, our cortisol levels rise, which dampens our immune-system response. Rising cortisol levels, reduced sleep and excess alcohol from frequent socialising, sedentary days watching festive TV and a diet out of the norm create the perfect storm for those pesky infections.
Spread the chores
The good news is that there are things you can do to protect yourself, starting now. Firstly,
