Don’t let Christmas pressure get to you

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 13

Don’t let Christmas pressure get to you

By

JVDI SHEPPARD MISSETT

shoping up

Q: I always feel so stressed at this time of year. Are there any health guidelines I should follow, so it won’t take a toll on me physically?

A: The best guideline is to reduce your level of stress, but that’s easier said than done during the pre-Christmas rush. Planning ahead can relieve some of the pressure. Keep a schedule during the next few weeks. It will help you to stay organized and put your priorities in order so that you don’t feel overwhelmed.

When you have a million little things to do, get help. Consider hiring someone to clean your house or to watch the kids when you need extra time.

And don’t forget to eat well. It’s all too easy to grab the wrong foods this time of year, and too much sugar will leave you dragging. Avoid the temptation by putting sweets

and high-calorie foods out of sight. Insist on time for relaxation. If you’re running short on time, don’t push yourself.

It’s better to leave something undone than to run yourself ragged. Remember, it’s a time of year for everyone, including you, to enjoy. Finally, keep up with a regular fitness programme. Exercise is a great stress reducer and will leave you feeling even more energetic. A good dose of aerobic exercise (at least 20 minutes) three times a week can do wonders.

Q: My 16-y ear-old daughter has experienced amenorrhea since she began running competitively. I’ve read about this happening to female athletes, but is there any way to prevent

it without giving up training and competition?

A: The usual doctor’s advice to amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle) patients is to reduce training until periods reappear. However, new studies by Tuft University researchers show that diet may also play an important role in exerciserelated amenorrhea. Researchers examined athletic women who menstruated normally and compared their diets to amenorrheic athletes who followed similar exercise programmes.

They found that the amenorrheic athletes were eating 25 per cent fewer calories, and many were not meeting their needs for important nutrients.

For example, more than 80 per cent of the women suffering from

amenorrhea ate less than the recommended daily requirement for protein — 44 grams. Amenorrhea, although apparently not harmful to fertility, can cause a reduction in bone mass due to reduced levels of estrogen.

Because loss of bone mass during crucial development years (teens and 20s) can lead to osteoporosis, a bone disease that usually affects the elderly where the bones become brittle. It’s important to take steps to reverse the trend of amenorrhea.

Experts suggest increasing caloric intake and watching nutrition carefully. A calcium supplement may be helpful in preventing bone loss, but check with your physician first. Unfortunately, your daughter may also have to reduce her training slightly until her periods resume.