DOH shares health tips to better enjoy holidays

CEBU - The Department of Health-7 released some tips for a healthy celebration of the holidays this year. Tips targeted psychological, physical and emotional wellness for the public to stay alive and whole for the coming year.

To prevent tension and stress, DOH suggests to families to map out a Christmas activity, a Christmas party perhaps, to have fun and entertainment and take a break from a whole year of hard work.

DOH warned about changes in temperature because this is one of the main reasons why children and adults become susceptible to cough, colds and fever. This may also be true to those who like to attend night parties.

If one is having coughs, colds and fever for more than five days already, DOH insists for consultation to the nearest health station to avoid possible complications. A well balanced Noche Buena and Media Noche meals should be prepared. DOH said that families should make sure that vegetables and fruits are present on the table to balance with traditional ham, and other meat products.

Diet, not in moderation, leads to hypertension, diabetes, stomach and liver problems, among others.

To enjoy a healthy Christmas, DOH said “be kind to your heart through eating a moderate amount of nutritious foods to sustain your daily activities.”

It is strongly advised for one to drink plenty of liquids like water and fruit juices to facilitate excretion, and get enough sleep to allow the mind and the body to rest. DOH-7 regional director, Dr. Susana Madarieta, said that people love shopping so much bringing them to crowded areas like malls and markets. But DOH said that crowded areas should be avoided because bacteria that cause diseases multiply and spread easily.

Airy and ventilated areas are essential to healthy living, Madarieta said.

As tradition has set, Christmas season is expressed in the putting up of Christmas decorations and stuffs, DOH suggests the use of environment-friendly Christmas decors that cost less and are not hazardous to fire. After use, decors are better stored and kept for the next year in a safe place.

To those who would want to give joy to kids through the giving of toy gifts, DOH said they should buy toys with no pointed or sharp edges or small-sized toys that can cause choking.

DOH said the public must also be careful in buying cheap toys because these may be made of poisonous substances such as lead, mercury, and others.

DOH discouraged the use of firecrackers during Christmas and New Year. They also cautioned the public on buying imported goods with no FR numbers because this only means that the product has not undergone test from the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

“BFAD is already having an intensified monitoring on imported goods. But shortage in personnel makes it hard for BFAD to monitor all groceries so we are urging the public to report if they have bought any imported goods with no FR number,” Madarieta said. — Jessica Ann Pareja/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)