CHRISTMAS and New Year are often times that we have looked forward to all year round, writes Angela Kelly.

So, it’s important that you keep well and fit so you can enjoy all the pleasures of the festive season.

On a practical basis, ensure you have enough of your usual medication to get you through the Christmas break. It is also a good idea to stock up on basic medication to tackle pain, indigestion, allergies, upset stomachs, coughs, colds and sore throats.

NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group advises that local pharmacists can help with a range of minor health concerns. Your GP practice can point people to the right service at the right time at any time of the day or night. There are also precautionary measures people can take to help prepare for potential illness.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of Bolton CCG, pointed out that there were a number of services in place to help prevent an unnecessary trip to A & E. “For instance, there is access available to see a GP near you where routine appointments are available in the evening and at weekends.

“Plus, if you need urgent care in the middle of the night, Bolton has an out-of-hours GP service. Just phone your usual GP practice and you’ll be directed to the correct service.”

It is worth noting that this year GP practices are open as normal on Christmas Even and New Year’s Eve (Monday, December 24 and 31) from 8am to 6.30pm.

It is important to get some exercise over the festive period. Fitness expert Chris Bramah says that, although his first advice is always “enjoy yourselves”, he adds that we do “have that little bit extra over the festive period but it’s making sure you don’t go overboard.”

With regards to exercise: “Set realistic goals and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t train as much as normal,” he added.

“A nice stroll with friends and family is a great way to burn off a few calories and get out in the fresh air. However, if the weather isn’t great, you can always do short HIIT (high intensity interval training) in your living room.”

Keeping an eye on alcohol consumption also makes sense. New NHS guidelines advise that, to keep health risks from drinking alcohol to a low level, you are safest not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week. This is equivalent to a bottle and a half of wine or five pints of export-type lager (5 per cent abv) and applies to both men and women.

On a single drinking session, the advice is to drink more slowly, drink with food and alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Avoid risky places and activities, make sure you have people you know around and ensure you can get home safely.

Be careful storing and cooking food over the Christmas and New Year period. De-frost frozen meat and poultry thoroughly before cooking – stand it in a bowl to stop bacteria in the juice spreading to other things. Cook food until it is steaming hot throughout. Never re-freeze raw meat, poultry or fish that has been de-frosted.

Cool leftovers as quickly as possible, ideally within two hours. Divide them into individual portions and refrigerate or freeze. Use refrigerated leftovers within two days.

When re-heating food, make sure it is heated until it reaches a temperature of 70C for two minutes so that it is steaming hot throughout. And be careful about how long you leave out buffet food out, especially in a warm room. Bacteria and toxins can develop which could cause food poisoning.