First aid for the festivities
๏ปฟChristmas can be the most wonderful time of the year, as the song says, and most of us are still scampering around buying and wrapping presents, thinking of food and drink, party frocks and make-up.
But itโs also worth spending a few minutes planning the health essentials and โjust in casesโ โ products /phone numbers/websites etc. Hereโs our list:
GENERAL
โข Comprehensive First Aid kit โ must include burn gel; good kits available online and at most high street pharmacies
โข Medications โ check you have over the counter remedies for aches and pains, indigestion (fennel tea, good probiotic etc), and that anyone on prescription drugs has enough to last the holiday
โข Address of nearest hospital with A&E wherever youโre staying and nearest dispensing pharmacy
NHS SUPPORT
NHS 111: available 24/7 for an urgent medical problem when youโre not sure what to do. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Hereโs what they offer:
find out what local service can help you
be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
be told how to get any medicine you need
get self-care advice
FOR ANYONE WHOโS SADโฆ
The holidays can be a difficult time if youโre feeling lonely or bereft - for instance, when youโre grieving a loved one. Grief therapist Julia Samuel says itโs important to know that you are not alone and there is support available from organisations such as Cruse (cruse.org.uk), The Compassionate Friends (tcf.org.uk) and Child Bereavement UK (childbereavement.org).
Young people can turn to Shout crisis text line for support in a personal crisis; simply text Shout to 85258. Other support agencies are listed at headstogether.org.uk/get-support/
And, of course, there is always the Samaritans โ call free on 116 123. We have two great friends who are Samaritans and we know the hugely valuable help they provide, again 24/7.
