The excitement and pressures of the hectic holiday season can add stress to our daily routine – including skipping meals, overindulging in candy and alcohol, and forgetting medications. Increased stress levels not only dampen the holiday spirit but also affect liver health — especially of those who are suffering from liver diseases like hepatitis. As a holiday gesture, ADRLF shares some useful tips to help you manage holiday stress and make the most of this joyful season.

Managing your diet over the holidays

From savory items to desserts, holiday feasts usually feature a delectable array of foods, which often happen to be high in fat and cholesterol. Socializing over the holidays often includes alcohol.  But you don’t have to be such a scrooge and miss out on these holiday offerings to stay healthy. Eat smart by filling your plate first with generous servings of healthy choices such as lean meat, greens and whole grains, and then sampling smaller portions of other treats. Explore non-alcoholic beverages and fortify your liver with anti-oxidant-rich drinks such as green tea and milk thistle. Also, keep a regular eating schedule to avoid overeating. Even when doing last minute holiday shopping, make sure not to skip meals.

Managing Your Medications over the holidays

Staying on course with your medication can be very challenging during the holidays. However, it is very important to keep track of your drug intake — whether they’re prescribed medications or vitamins and supplements — to ensure a healthy and well-functioning liver. When misused, medications can actually do more harm than good.

Children and older adults face higher health risks, if they miss a dose or more of medication. Elderly people, in particular, have a lower capacity to process medicine, and may have adverse reactions to drug intake changes. Read and understand the dosage and schedule instructions of your medications. And do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you have any concerns — including questions on alcohol intake.

With holiday parties abound, note that mixing alcohol and medicine can be dangerous, so caution is advised.

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday, make sure to set phone alarms for each medication. For more information, check out this helpful guide.

Wishing you a bright and wonderful holiday season from ADLRF!