Do You Overindulge During the Holidays? Poll Finds You're Not Alone

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Dec. 4, 2023 -- Holiday festivities bring joy to many, but they also give rise to quite a few unhealthy habits, a new survey has found.

Two-thirds of people say they overindulge in food during the holidays, and nearly half (45%) said they take a break from exercise, according to a new survey from Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a third admit they drink more alcohol during the holidays, and more than half report feeling tired and having less time for themselves.

“Holiday travel, activities with friends and family, and trying to get a bunch of things done can cause people to lose track of their healthy habits,” said Dr. Barbara Bawer, a family medicine physician at Wexner.

The survey involved 1,007 people polled between Oct. 20 and 23, with a 3.6 percentage point margin of error.

Folks need to stick to their normal routine as much as possible to avoid starting unhealthy habits, Bawer said..

“Once you're out of a routine, which typically happens around the holidays, it’s really hard to get back on track, partly because the motivation is no longer there,” Bawer said in a university news release.

People should keep in mind that it’s okay to say no, whether it be for one more holiday party or one more rich dish at the buffet, Bawer said.

Bawer also recommends that people:

  • Maintain their diets by eating a high-protein, low-carb meal during the day before attending an evening event
  • Indulge in favorite dishes or desserts, but avoid sampling everything on offer
  • Keep your normal sleep schedule, even when traveling, and say no to some invitations if it feels like you’re overextending yourself
  • Avoid binge drinking, sticking to the recommended two drinks for men or one drink for women
  • Don’t drink on an empty stomach

    • “Small, consistent changes and slowly adding to them can help you reach your health goals,” Bawer said.

    Sources

  • Ohio State University, news release, Dec. 4, 2023

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2023-12-04 20:36

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords