How to Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season: Five Key Tips

With the start of the holiday season, health authorities across Europe are sharing advice on how to stay healthy amid the celebrations. Euronews has highlighted five of the most important recommendations.

Do not mix medications with alcohol and certain foods

Alcohol can interact with medications in “dangerous ways,” warns the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), increasing the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and accidents. Extra caution is advised if you plan to drive or use an electric wheelchair or mobility scooter.

In addition to alcohol, some festive foods are also incompatible with certain medications.

For example, people taking warfarin to prevent or treat blood clots should avoid cranberries, the MHRA notes. Aged cheeses and dark chocolate are rich in tyramine, which can be problematic for those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a type of antidepressant.

Prevent the spread of infections at Christmas markets

Large crowds at Christmas markets this month give viruses an opportunity to spread, authorities in the Czech Republic note, as the country is dealing with a major outbreak of hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted through close contact with an infected person or via contaminated food, water, and surfaces. Therefore, even though Christmas markets are often held outdoors, people can still become ill.

Health professionals recommend washing hands regularly and disinfecting surfaces—even when celebrating away from home.

Keep an eye on fireplaces to avoid worsening air quality

In winter, many people enjoy sitting by a fireplace, but improper use increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, warns France’s National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES).

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and even seizures.

This can occur when appliances connected to a chimney—such as fireplaces, water heaters, or boilers—or devices that run on wood, coal, or gas are improperly installed or adjusted.

ANSES recommends having chimneys inspected once a year, using portable heaters for no more than two hours at a time, and ventilating rooms for at least 10 minutes a day, even in cold weather.

Be aware that skin creams can increase fire risk

People with eczema or dry, itchy skin often use moisturizing creams, but clothing and bedding absorb their residues and can become more flammable as a result, the MHRA warns.

Such fabrics can catch fire and “burn rapidly” if someone smokes nearby, lights candles, or is close to an open flame, the agency said.

Those who use these creams are advised to wash bedding and clothing regularly at high temperatures to remove as much residue as possible. It is also important to ensure that cream does not dry on sofa cushions and other fabrics.

Get a flu shot early, before family gatherings

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommends getting vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible, as the virus is spreading unusually early this season.

After vaccination, the body needs about two weeks to build protection against the flu. Therefore, it is best to get the shot well before holiday gatherings—especially if you will be spending time with vulnerable people such as pregnant women, the elderly, and young children.

There are also other precautions to take if you start feeling unwell. According to France’s public health authority, if you develop a cough, fever, or runny nose, you should wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and ventilate indoor spaces.