Holiday Health Myths

There are a surprising number of holiday myths out there that we tend to repeat each year, and it seems like someone is always talking about how they gain five pounds every holiday. However, you might be surprised to learn the truth of this and other common holiday myths. Your Austin medical center is here to help you know the difference.

Are Poinsettias Deadly to Children?

About a hundred years ago, a child died under mysterious circumstances, and a nearby Poinsettia plant was blamed for the death. In the years after that death, Poinsettias became known as a plant that was poisonous to children. However, tests conducted on the toxicity of Poinsettias have revealed that a child would need to consume about 500 leaves from a Poinsettia plant to become poisoned.

Doctors also note that Poinsettias aren’t a particularly tasty plant, so it’s unlikely that anyone would eat enough leaves to cause sickness or death. Therefore, it’s fine to introduce these beautiful plants that are so closely associated with Christmas and the holidays to a home with children in residence.

Is New Year’s the Most Deadly Holiday for Driving?

The holiday spirit encourages millions of people to break out the “bubbly” during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, and car accidents do increase significantly during the holidays, as well as on New Year’s Eve. Statistics reveal that around 45 people die from alcohol-related accidents during the holidays while that number is around three dozen during other times of the year.

However, New Year’s Eve and the other winter holidays aren’t actually the most deadly times of the year to be in a car. The day when the most traffic fatalities occur isn’t even in the winter. It’s in the middle of the summer on Independence Day, July 4th.

Does Christmas Candy Make Children Hyper?

Parents have long resisted giving their kids candy because of a belief that candy canes, chocolate Santas and, red and green M&Ms cause children to bounce off the walls. Kids get excited during the holidays, and they might even get a little wild at the sight of candy, but a recent study shared by Health suggests that a sugary placebo has the same effect as real sugar on kids.

According to doctors at your average family practice clinic, kids are often excited because they get to eat candy, not because they actually ate it. The hyperactivity likely starts before they’ve even had a single bite of chocolate.

Do People Always Gain 5 Pounds During the Holidays?

The holidays are a time for many family gatherings, corporate holiday parties, and celebrations, and most of those events feature tons of food that’s terrible for you. One often-cited statistic that has no real basis in fact is the suggestion that people gain five pounds every December. Some fake statistics even suggest gaining seven pounds is the norm.

However, the holidays alone won’t make the average person need to visit a weight loss center. Weight gain of 5 pounds or more usually occurs over several months and is part of a long-term habit of unhealthy eating. For the winter holidays, it’s more accurate to suggest that people gain about one pound. However, over a decade, that’s 10 pounds gained, so it’s nothing to sneeze at!

Is Depression Common During the Holidays?

“S.A.D.,” or seasonal affective disorder, is often talked about during the winter holidays, but the concept of an increased rate of depression versus other seasons is largely a myth. S.A.D. is a disorder that can develop during any change of the seasons and isn’t limited to the wintertime.

Although the holidays are a stressful time for millions of people around the country, incidents like suicides do not actually increase in December and the surrounding months. In fact, according to an article on seasonal myths, the most common time for suicides is the spring. It’s important to encourage a loved one to see a doctor at a medical center if severe depression is suspected.

Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy This Holiday Season

Start the New Year with a clean bill of health by making an appointment with Pro-Care Medical Center for your family. A yearly checkup is essential for preventative healthcare, and it’s also an ideal way to make sure you’re in great shape for the celebrations and gatherings you’ll attend during the season.

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