Surviving the Festive Season.
Christmas means many different things to different people. For some it is a time to get together with family, enjoy a holiday, have a rest, recharge energies, look back over the past year and plan for the future. These are very positive and need no particular suggestions at all.
Sometimes though, Christmas can be extremely stressful. We build high expectations of this festival and then try to cram it all into one or a few days and try to please everybody. Inevitably then, there are problems.
Now with Covid-19 added into the mix, things can suddenly seem even more stressful! Confusing and contradictory rules, differences of opinion within the family, potentially not being able to please or see everybody..
Dare I suggest that the subject of Covid is banned at family gatherings this Christmas?! 😉
Overindulgence
Often we find our diet changes dramatically at Christmas. We eat more, more often and more richly than normally – and so our digestive systems suffer under the onslaught.
Many of us drink a lot of alcohol at Christmas time during parties and celebrations. It’s a good idea to drink a glass of water for every glass of alcohol and to eat proper meals too.
So whether it’s the effects of the dark days of winter, the pressures of buying presents, entertaining guests or simply richer food and drink, we can all feel the effects.
Many women suffer with cystitis or thrush at holiday time and these conditions too can be linked to a change in diet. If affected, it is important to drink plenty of fluid, mainly water, to stop all alcohol, and to reduce drastically the intake of sugar in the form of glucose or sucrose. I may also be able to help so book in for the New Year if it’s an ongoing issue.
Christmas can be a very happy and positive time. Sometimes though, it can emphasise loneliness, or bring back past griefs and sadness. It can be a time of great emotional tension. This is when Bach Rescue Remedy or Bush Flower Emergency Essence is so helpful – every one should have one in their home. Flower essences helps soothe us emotionally when we are tense, frightened or shocked and are safe for all ages.
Here are some other useful homeopathic remedies to consider:
- Carbo veg 30c – could help with symptoms brought on by overindulgence, especially if you have upper abdomen bloating and wind as a result.
- Ignatia 200c – In the run up to Christmas, when you are trying to get everything together, shopping, food etc and you end up being responsible for just about everybody and everything, plus feel like screaming and crying at the same time. It’s also a great remedy if past griefs start to resurface and you’re having to keep your composure but would really love to have a good sob.
- Lycopodium 30c – is useful for symptoms include bloating with wind, a huge appetite. You may also have heartburn with sour burping.
- Nux vomica 30c – known by some as the ‘hangover’ remedy, also useful for the general symptoms of festive over-indulgence! Can help nausea, headache, sensitivity to noise and light, and irritability. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, this remedy could also help reduce that sluggish feeling and can help ease constipation.
Choose the remedy that best suits your symptoms, and take it in a 30c potency up to three times a day until you feel better. If you feel no better after 5 days, always seek professional advice.
Until next time, have a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year! 
Claire Zarb LCPH
t: +44 (0)7582 269569
e: claire@clairezarb.com
w: www.clairezarb.com
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photo credit: Scott Beale via photopin cc
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