'Tis the season to be jolly! But if you're not feeling so hot, you may not be alone. Surprisingly, some of the season's biggest pleasures, like hunting for the perfect presents, hanging long-loved holiday decorations on the tree, even downing a glass of seemingly innocent eggnog, can actually be a drag on your health, to leave you feeling fa-la-la-la-lousy. The good news: Getting through the holidays healthfully can be a snap once you've got the right game plan. Here, nine surprising holiday season health hazards -- and the simple, do-it-yourself remedies you'll need to stay in fighting form.
Holiday Hazard: Scented Candles
A row of softly-glowing scented candles can look -- and smell -- beautiful in a house decorated for the holidays. But some research suggests that the ingredients used in commercially-available decorative candles can emit a hefty amount of unhealthful chemicals, including lead and formaldehyde. “Exposure to those toxins can quickly make women feel achy, tired and out-of-sorts,” says Paula Baillie-Hamilton, M.D., environmental health researcher at the University of Stirling, and author of Toxic Overload.
A row of softly-glowing scented candles can look -- and smell -- beautiful in a house decorated for the holidays. But some research suggests that the ingredients used in commercially-available decorative candles can emit a hefty amount of unhealthful chemicals, including lead and formaldehyde. “Exposure to those toxins can quickly make women feel achy, tired and out-of-sorts,” says Paula Baillie-Hamilton, M.D., environmental health researcher at the University of Stirling, and author of Toxic Overload.
Seasonal Save: Use Twinkle Lights Instead
Create the same inviting atmosphere with electrically-lit decorations instead. “Deck your halls with colored lights, then set out bowls of fresh potpourri to add a welcoming scent without sapping your health,” suggests Dr. Baillie-Hamilton. Choose a potpourri mix containing mint or citrus. These rejuvenating scents can boost energy as much as 20 percent, say researchers at Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.
Create the same inviting atmosphere with electrically-lit decorations instead. “Deck your halls with colored lights, then set out bowls of fresh potpourri to add a welcoming scent without sapping your health,” suggests Dr. Baillie-Hamilton. Choose a potpourri mix containing mint or citrus. These rejuvenating scents can boost energy as much as 20 percent, say researchers at Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.
Holiday Hazard: Evergreen Trees
When researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology set up freshly-cut Christmas trees in homes, mold counts hovered close to the normal range for the first two weeks But after day 14, they skyrocketed eight times higher. The result: People began suffering from scratchy throats, coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and draggy fatigue. “Mold is Mother Nature’s cleanup crew, so it grows rapidly on the needles, branches and trunk as soon as a cut tree starts to decay,” explains Kathleen May, M.D., an allergist in Cumberland, Md.
When researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology set up freshly-cut Christmas trees in homes, mold counts hovered close to the normal range for the first two weeks But after day 14, they skyrocketed eight times higher. The result: People began suffering from scratchy throats, coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes and draggy fatigue. “Mold is Mother Nature’s cleanup crew, so it grows rapidly on the needles, branches and trunk as soon as a cut tree starts to decay,” explains Kathleen May, M.D., an allergist in Cumberland, Md.
Seasonal Save: Consider Going Artificial
If you are allergic to mold and wish to sidestep sneezing and wheezing this season, opt for an artificial tree or wreaths. Or buy a freshly-cut evergreen one week before Christmas Day, so you can toss it before the mold count begins to soar, suggests Dr. May.
If you are allergic to mold and wish to sidestep sneezing and wheezing this season, opt for an artificial tree or wreaths. Or buy a freshly-cut evergreen one week before Christmas Day, so you can toss it before the mold count begins to soar, suggests Dr. May.
Holiday Hazard: Eggnog
The holidays can be a tough time for people who suffer from food sensitivities -- especially those who don't suspect they have them. Lactose intolerance, for example, can be a big problem for merry-makers who consume egg nog and other dairy-based seasonal offerings. “Their bellies have a tough time producing lactase, the enzyme needed to break down milk sugar," explains Carolyn Dean, M.D., author of IBS for Dummies, "so undigested dairy passes through the intestinal wall and triggers inflammation throughout the body.” That can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea.
The holidays can be a tough time for people who suffer from food sensitivities -- especially those who don't suspect they have them. Lactose intolerance, for example, can be a big problem for merry-makers who consume egg nog and other dairy-based seasonal offerings. “Their bellies have a tough time producing lactase, the enzyme needed to break down milk sugar," explains Carolyn Dean, M.D., author of IBS for Dummies, "so undigested dairy passes through the intestinal wall and triggers inflammation throughout the body.” That can cause bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Seasonal Save: Take a Supplement
Don’t want to nix the ‘nog? Buy a box of lactase enzyme supplements the next time you’re at the pharmacy. According to UCLA researchers, taking just one tablet 20 minutes before your next dairy-laden holiday feast can completely prevent uncomfortable stomach woes. Not a fan of supplements? Look for lactaid eggnog, a tasty, but lactose-free, version of the beverage. It's available in most supermarkets during the holidays.
Don’t want to nix the ‘nog? Buy a box of lactase enzyme supplements the next time you’re at the pharmacy. According to UCLA researchers, taking just one tablet 20 minutes before your next dairy-laden holiday feast can completely prevent uncomfortable stomach woes. Not a fan of supplements? Look for lactaid eggnog, a tasty, but lactose-free, version of the beverage. It's available in most supermarkets during the holidays.
Holiday Hazard: Dusty Decorations
Unless they were sealed in plastic bags after last year’s celebrations (and who had the time for that?) chances are good your stored holiday decorations are coated with allergy-inducing dust and dander, says Dan Atkins, M.D., an allergist at Denver’s National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Inhaling that mess as you sort through old treasures can trigger a sniffling, sneezing allergic reaction, along with a nagging headache and fatigue that can drag on for days.
Unless they were sealed in plastic bags after last year’s celebrations (and who had the time for that?) chances are good your stored holiday decorations are coated with allergy-inducing dust and dander, says Dan Atkins, M.D., an allergist at Denver’s National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Inhaling that mess as you sort through old treasures can trigger a sniffling, sneezing allergic reaction, along with a nagging headache and fatigue that can drag on for days.
Holiday Hazard: Shopping Sprees
Mad rushes to the mall can exhaust more than just your wallet -- they can also be bad for your health. The strain and stress of lugging shopping bags, racing through stores and spending hours on your feet can lead to tiny muscle tears and inflammation, which can snowball into muscle and joint pain and draggy fatigue over the next 48 hours -- a condition called delayed onset muscle soreness, according to Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic.
Mad rushes to the mall can exhaust more than just your wallet -- they can also be bad for your health. The strain and stress of lugging shopping bags, racing through stores and spending hours on your feet can lead to tiny muscle tears and inflammation, which can snowball into muscle and joint pain and draggy fatigue over the next 48 hours -- a condition called delayed onset muscle soreness, according to Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., author of From Fatigued to Fantastic.
Seasonal Save: Hop in the Tub
To ease the post-mall pain, dissolve two cups of Epsom salts into a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes when you get home. “Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, the most important nutrient for muscle healing and pain relief,” explains Dr. Teitelbaum. Research at Britain’s University of Birmingham suggests Epsom salts baths can alleviate these annoying symptoms by a whopping 89 percent.
To ease the post-mall pain, dissolve two cups of Epsom salts into a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes when you get home. “Epsom salts are rich in magnesium, the most important nutrient for muscle healing and pain relief,” explains Dr. Teitelbaum. Research at Britain’s University of Birmingham suggests Epsom salts baths can alleviate these annoying symptoms by a whopping 89 percent.
Holiday Hazard: Lengthy To-Do Lists
Overwhelmed with holiday chores? Taking on too much can drain your brain’s supply of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps you stay calm, cool and collected, even when you’re surrounded by chaos, according to studies published in the journal Brain Research. The result: Anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.
Overwhelmed with holiday chores? Taking on too much can drain your brain’s supply of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps you stay calm, cool and collected, even when you’re surrounded by chaos, according to studies published in the journal Brain Research. The result: Anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.
Seasonal Save: Take a Tea Break
To decompress, brew a pot of green tea. It’s packed with L-theanine, an amino acid that fires up the brain’s GABA production, helping frazzled people feel calmer within 48 hours, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego. The right dose? Strive for three mugs daily.
To decompress, brew a pot of green tea. It’s packed with L-theanine, an amino acid that fires up the brain’s GABA production, helping frazzled people feel calmer within 48 hours, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego. The right dose? Strive for three mugs daily.
Holiday Hazard: Christmas Cookies
Too many sweet treats can spike your blood sugar, spurring fatigue. “Your pancreas has to constantly tweak its insulin production to keep blood sugar on an even keel,” explains David L. Katz, M.D., director of Connecticut’s Yale Prevention Research Center. “But a slew of sugar-laden foods sabotages its efforts, triggering blood sugar fluxes, which can spur moodiness and fatigue.”
Too many sweet treats can spike your blood sugar, spurring fatigue. “Your pancreas has to constantly tweak its insulin production to keep blood sugar on an even keel,” explains David L. Katz, M.D., director of Connecticut’s Yale Prevention Research Center. “But a slew of sugar-laden foods sabotages its efforts, triggering blood sugar fluxes, which can spur moodiness and fatigue.”
Seasonal Save: Fill Up On Fiber
Instead of hiding until the treat trays are empty, take five grams of a soluble fiber supplement (like Herbalife Active Fiber Complexl) 10 minutes before noshing on sugary treats. Why? Soluble fiber blocks sugar absorption, reducing blood glucose levels to soothe sugar-overload symptoms, according to studies at Lexington’s University of Kentucky.
Instead of hiding until the treat trays are empty, take five grams of a soluble fiber supplement (like Herbalife Active Fiber Complexl) 10 minutes before noshing on sugary treats. Why? Soluble fiber blocks sugar absorption, reducing blood glucose levels to soothe sugar-overload symptoms, according to studies at Lexington’s University of Kentucky.
Holiday Hazard: Fasting Before You Feast
Though surveys suggest 52 percent of women skip occasional meals to make up for big holiday feasts, scientists say this strategy can actually backfire. Researchers at Boston’s Tufts University found that women who take the starve-in-advance approach struggle with fatigue, headaches, indigestion and other symptoms, thanks to digestive and nervous system disruptions triggered by prolonged periods of time without nutrients. Plus they plow through at least 35 percent more food when they hit the buffet table!
Though surveys suggest 52 percent of women skip occasional meals to make up for big holiday feasts, scientists say this strategy can actually backfire. Researchers at Boston’s Tufts University found that women who take the starve-in-advance approach struggle with fatigue, headaches, indigestion and other symptoms, thanks to digestive and nervous system disruptions triggered by prolonged periods of time without nutrients. Plus they plow through at least 35 percent more food when they hit the buffet table!
Seasonal Save: Eat Three Meals a Day
For optimal well-being, make an effort to eat a healthful breakfast, lunch and dinner. And when parties loom, ramp up your protein intake to protect your waistline. Women who add satiating protein to their lunch -- think meat, eggs or cheese -- eat 31 percent fewer calories at evening feasts. Protein spurs the release of cholecystokinin and glucagon, hormones that blunt appetite for up to five hours straight, report researchers at Yale.
For optimal well-being, make an effort to eat a healthful breakfast, lunch and dinner. And when parties loom, ramp up your protein intake to protect your waistline. Women who add satiating protein to their lunch -- think meat, eggs or cheese -- eat 31 percent fewer calories at evening feasts. Protein spurs the release of cholecystokinin and glucagon, hormones that blunt appetite for up to five hours straight, report researchers at Yale.
Holiday Hazard: Party Planning
Prepping and planning for festive get-togethers can cause an overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to exhaustion, digestive upsets and acne breakouts, according to Cleveland Clinic researchers.
Prepping and planning for festive get-togethers can cause an overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol, leading to exhaustion, digestive upsets and acne breakouts, according to Cleveland Clinic researchers.
Seasonal Save: Hang Up Some Mistletoe
Kissing a loved one can dial down cortisol production as much as 25 percent instantly, say University of North Carolina researchers. Their studies also suggest that just 20 seconds of hugging, or 10 minutes of hand-holding, can have the same powerful effect.
Kissing a loved one can dial down cortisol production as much as 25 percent instantly, say University of North Carolina researchers. Their studies also suggest that just 20 seconds of hugging, or 10 minutes of hand-holding, can have the same powerful effect.
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