Health
Valentine ’ s Day health tips
By Carolyn Lee
February 14 is largely celebrated as a day of love and connection . Couples tend to go all out to show how much they appreciate their significant other with expensive gifts , quick get-a-ways and romantic festivities . We often do not think about health issues on this day . Yet , our health and wellbeing are important every day of the year . This Valentine ’ s Day and onward , why not give the gift of good health to those you love . Read on to find out how .
February is American Heart Month : This is the perfect time to focus on being heart healthy . The month of February is also a time of celebrating love with rich foods and drink . To be heart healthy , limit intake of alcoholic beverages , maintain a healthy weight , avoid smoking and stay away from second hand smoke , prevent and control high blood pressure , high cholesterol , and diabetes , and stay active . Try eating a healthy meal for Valentine ’ s Day . Eat food that has lower salt and fat content . Try more fruits and vegetables , and reduce your intake of sugary sweets .
Don ’ t over-indulge : Many celebratory Valentine ’ s Day events will be stocked with premium and lowend alcoholic beverages . Don ’ t get carried away , especially if you live in the Middle East . If you drink , do so in moderation , and do not attempt to drive afterwards . Don ’ t allow someone who has been drinking to drive . Excessive alcohol use has immediate side effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions . Finally , if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant , avoid alcohol .
Travel readiness : Your Valentine ’ s Day gift could be a romantic get-a-way to another country . Pause and think about the things that you will need in order to really enjoy the trip . If you take medication or use contact lens , ensure that you have enough for your trip . Ensure that your medication is properly labelled . Are you flying or taking a cruise ? Both modes of travel require that you practice proper hygiene . Wherever large groups of people congregate , the spreading of germs is more likely to occur .
Safety issues : Some Valentine ’ s Day activities happen inside the home . Ensure that candles are in a safe place and that they are extinguished before you retire to bed . While the day is to celebrate love , some couples maybe dating for the first time . Women need to stay alert ( within reason ) as sexual assaults can occur , if an aggressive partner becomes too inebriated or takes drugs . If you are dating someone that you are just getting to know , stick to dates in public places .
Finally , be thoughtful . Both parties should enjoy Valentine ’ s Day . Try to ascertain the health status of your Valentine in order to prevent health emergencies from food allergies , flowers and pets , etc . Remember , that celebrating the ones you love should be an ‘ everyday event ’ and a big part of that is ensuring that you are all healthy and happy .
Source : http :// www . cdc . gov /
Be germ conscious : It is romantic to be hand fed , however , unclean hands carry a lot of potentially harmful germs . Wash your hands often . Try to avoid close contact with someone who is sick . Don ’ t get carried away with romantic exploits . Prevent sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) and unintended pregnancies . Abstain from sex or use protection if you are not ready to expand your family .