Health Is Wealth

With festive cheer upon us with Christmas around the corner, it is a time for meeting friends and family, enjoying hearty meals, sharing news and gossip and occasionally, a time for self-reflection, of successes achieved in the months gone by, of things that didn’t happen, and hopes of the new year bringing happier moments. In all of this, our physical and mental wellbeing underscores how fulfilling our lives will be and its effect on our near and dear ones. Being healthy and happy increases longevity and productivity in oneself and the wider society, with long lasting positive socio-economic effects.

The festive period can bring on added stress to many, including anxiety, stress, loneliness and low mood. Protecting your mental peace and physical wellbeing is a matter of self-preservation. Taking a step back, sleeping earlier, trying to get out with friends or even alone, for exercise and walks, eating healthily and drinking in moderation all help. Do not forget medications and order them ahead of time to save you from the Christmas rush. Plan and pace activities and postpone events if they become too chaotic to manage.

Unfortunately in this time period, winter pressures cause an unhealthy impact in the NHS, when staffing in hospitals is less, there is an extended holiday period affecting GP services, and reduction in paramedic and district nursing support. Ensuring safety at home, including removing trip hazards, using alarm systems optimally, completing vaccinations for flu and covid to reduce respiratory infections and taking medications regularly helps alleviate some of the effects of winter pressures. Services like 111 and 999 will still be available in case of illnesses, so do not hesitate to call for help in a timely manner.

Apart from the Christmas period, your doctors’ services and local pharmacies will be able to provide you with help and support. Let your hospital and GP services know if you need more help over the festive period, if you are just out of hospital or recovering from a surgical procedure.

Your doctors will be sending messages to get various health checks done, including measurement of blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic illnesses, please do these in a timely fashion and complete essential reviews for maintaining health and wellbeing.

It is important to watch out for elderly neighbours and family members who may be alone and without support in the holiday season and offer help with shopping and meals.

If you need support with your health and wellbeing:

Call Mind's support line on 0300 102 1234. This is a safe space to talk about your mental health. Their advisors are trained to listen and help you find specialist support if you need it. Opening hours: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (free from any phone).

Wishing all readers a joyous and safe festive period.

Dr Suparna Behura FRCGP
Partner and Trainer

Monday-Friday – 8.00am-6.30pm
Tel – 01926 857331
www.castlemedicalcentre.co.uk
Facebook – @CastleMedKenilworth
Twitter – @Castle_Med
22 Bertie Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1JP