The Tet holiday is a time for travel, visiting family, and enjoying time with friends. However, according to Doctor Kieu Xuan Thy, from Campus 3 of the University Medical Center HCMC, changes in environment, daily routines, and dietary habits during holidays can pose many risks to health. Therefore, it is important to prepare thoroughly and maintain health during the holiday.
Appropriate exercise and rest
Holidays often involve outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and long walks. To protect health, it is important to maintain appropriate exercise principles:
- Maintain daily exercise: Walk or do light exercises for 20-30 minutes to stay flexible and improve blood circulation.
- When traveling long distances, stand up, stretch lightly, or move your arms and legs every 1-2 hours to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
- Avoid overexertion: Do not engage in high-altitude climbing, long-distance swimming, or diving if you have underlying cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
- Get enough sleep: Avoid staying up late to allow your body to recover and strengthen its immune system.
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To ensure health, drink 1,5-2 liters of water daily, potentially more if traveling outdoors in hot weather. Photo: Phuong Thy
Scientific eating
Many people often eat irregularly or choose fast, convenient foods that lack nutritional value. This can cause digestive disorders, food poisoning, elevated blood lipids, or exacerbate existing chronic diseases.
Nutrition experts recommend:
Do not skip breakfast
This is an important meal that helps maintain energy throughout the day, especially for the elderly and diabetic patients.
Eat cooked food, drink boiled water
Avoid raw or undercooked dishes and seafood from unknown sources to reduce the risk of digestive disorders or food poisoning.
Supplement with vegetables and fruits
Vegetables and fruits provide vitamins and fiber, helping to prevent constipation and boost the body's immune system.
Drink enough water
Drink 1,5-2 liters daily, potentially more if traveling outdoors in hot weather. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary carbonated drinks and alcohol.
Prepare healthy snacks
Prepare nuts, dried fruits, yogurt, or whole-grain bread to consume during long journeys or when meals are delayed.
A scientific diet during the holiday helps keep the body healthy, maintains circadian rhythm, and limits the flare-ups of many chronic diseases.
Herbal teas – a gentle choice for health support
In traditional medicine, some herbal teas are easy to carry and can help cool the body, aid digestion, and relax the mind:
- Chamomile tea: Cools the body, calms nerves, reduces stress, and supports sleep.
- Artichoke tea: Supports digestion, cools the liver, promotes bile flow, suitable when consuming many oily foods.
- Ginger tea: Warms the spleen and stomach, prevents stomach chills, reduces nausea, helpful for those prone to motion sickness.
- Lotus tea (lotus plumule, lotus leaves): Has a calming effect, aids sleep; lotus leaves are also studied for their ability to help regulate blood fat.
However, herbal teas should only be consumed in moderation and not completely replace plain water. Individuals with underlying conditions should consult a doctor before regular use to avoid drug interactions.
Individuals with underlying conditions: a high-risk group needing vigilance
People with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bronchial asthma, liver or kidney disease, or blood lipid disorders often experience complications when their environment and routines change. Therefore, this group requires special attention.
Dietary regimes suitable for specific conditions
- For hypertension and cardiovascular patients: Eat bland food, avoid alcohol, and do not overexert.
- For diabetic patients: Do not skip meals, limit starches and sweets; carry small candies to prevent hypoglycemia.
- For bronchial asthma and lung disease patients: Carry a rescue inhaler, avoid polluted environments and dust.
- For liver and stomach patients: Limit alcohol, oily, spicy, and sour foods to avoid irritation.
Bring adequate medication and take correct dosages
- Prepare enough medication for the entire holiday, even a few extra days in case of extended trips or loss.
- Take medication on time, and absolutely do not stop taking it even if you feel well.
- Organize medications in a clearly labeled box to avoid confusion during use.
Essential medicine kit and medical supplies for travel
A compact yet complete medicine kit is a reliable companion for any trip:
- Basic medications: paracetamol (fever reducer, pain reliever), oresol (electrolyte rehydration), berberin (diarrhea), antihistamines (loratadine), mild pain relievers.
- Medications for underlying conditions: blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular, asthma medications, as prescribed by a doctor.
- Medical supplies: thermometer, bandages and gauze, antiseptic solution, face masks, hand sanitizer.
- Others: motion sickness medication, rehydration tablets, sunglasses, sunscreen.
Carry basic medical records
- A medical summary, most recent prescriptions, and health insurance card.
- Note the phone number of your treating doctor or a family member for contact when needed.
Monitor for unusual symptoms
If you experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, high fever, or frequent diarrhea, seek medical attention at the nearest medical facility. Absolutely do not arbitrarily increase medication dosages or use new medications without a doctor's prescription.
Prevent seasonal infectious diseases
Unpredictable weather conditions, with alternating sun and rain, create favorable conditions for many infectious diseases to spread. People should note:
- Respiratory diseases: flu, sore throat, pneumonia. Keep the body warm, avoid sudden temperature changes, and wear a face mask in crowded places.
- Dengue fever, hand, foot, and mouth disease: Prevent mosquito bites by using mosquito repellent, sleeping under mosquito nets, and eliminating standing water.
- Frequent hand hygiene: Wash hands with soap or antiseptic solution before eating and after using the restroom.
- Ensure food safety: Choose clean and hygienic eateries to prevent food poisoning.
"A long holiday is a precious opportunity to relax, explore, and bond with family, but the joy will be more complete when each person knows how to protect their own health," Doctor Thy stated.
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