Ah, the time of year for holidays. A season of abundant indulgence. Food and drink are typically connected with the festive season, along with parties, gifts, and decorations. It's simple to become distracted by holiday feasts and sentimental indulgences and neglect to maintain regular, balanced meals and other healthful eating practices that benefited you throughout the year. In the African setting, many households have the Christmas holiday as a food-related holiday and sometimes eating a little more than you normally would is a fun part of the celebrations.

As much as we don’t have "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer” or the traditional white snowy Christmas, we still celebrate the festive season to the fullest. To our communities, Christmas is more than just the birth of Jesus, it’s a season where the whole community celebrates.

To many of us, the Christmas period is not only a religious ceremony but it has been transformed into a culture and tradition within our families. In Rwanda, we commonly refer to this period as "Noheri” (a translation of Noel), the streets are lit up with lights and decorations, there is great ambiance in the streets, buzzing markets, and generally, the mood is festive. It's a time for creating cherished memories with loved ones.

In the past couple of years, the joyous spirit of the holiday season has been subdued by the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions that reduced public gatherings and celebrations. However, as we now find ourselves at the tail end of these pandemic-induced limitations, there is an optimistic anticipation of a return to larger and more vibrant gatherings this time around.

With the easing of restrictions, the forthcoming festivities will see larger gatherings in families and communities as people come together to celebrate, we will see that the amount of food or drink to go around may be greater which can lead to overconsumption. Larger gatherings and big celebrations are a shift towards normalcy and the joy of once again celebrating as families and communities but can lead to an overindulgence in food and drink.

Excessive eating and drinking occur throughout the year, but we tend to overindulge more during the holidays. Festive celebrations tend to be accompanied by excessive consumption of salty, fatty foods and sometimes excessive alcohol use. The spirit of merriment and gatherings often leads to a more relaxed approach to dietary choices which may be a potential health issue.

While it's natural to enjoy the abundance of the season, it's essential to strike a balance and practice moderation. Being mindful of our eating and drinking habits during these celebrations can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable and enjoyable festive experience.

The festive season often brings about an increased tendency to partake in social activities and celebrations, creating an environment where the prospect of enjoying a drink becomes more pronounced. With extended time spent in the company of friends and family during these joyous occasions, the atmosphere encourages relaxation and friendliness.

Whether it's toasting to shared moments of celebration or winding down after a year of challenges, the festive season presents a temptation for individuals to share a drink or two in celebration. Surprisingly, sometimes alcohol use during the festive season can be due to stress, for some, it can be a period of loneliness, or even financial or economic difficulty.

The holiday season doesn’t have to be a vacation from good health. With a little effort and planning you can avoid the health pitfalls. Remember to continue to make healthy food choices, reduce alcohol intake, hydrate properly, make time for exercise, visit friends and family, and visit other parts of Rwanda and many other healthy activities.

Embracing a holistic approach to health during the holidays ensures that joyous moments are not only celebrated but also contribute to a balanced and vibrant lifestyle.

Make time for yourself. In the whirlwind of the festivities, it's important to take time to enjoy, relax and unwind, read a great book, watch your favourite movie, or just get a good night's sleep. Pamper yourself in a healthy way, it’s alright to allow yourself a good wholesome meal once in a while without overthinking it, but remember to stay healthy - you deserve it. And most importantly, have a happy, healthy festive season! Noheri Nziza.

Dr Vincent Mutabazi is an applied epidemiologist.

X: @VkneeM