The Great British summer wouldn’t be the same without going to a festival or two.
Medical herbalist Gabriella Clarke shares her secrets on how to be a healthy festival goer.
Whether it’s a full-on weekend with friends or a more sedate family outing, nothing beats being out in the fresh air having some fun at a festival. But festivals are awash with potential health mishaps so to make sure you stay well, here are some top tips to help you survive the season in the best of health.
STAY HYDRATED
You might not be abroad but British temperatures can still get pretty high. Combine that with all that dancing to your favourite bands, and you have a the perfect situation for dehydration. Make sure you take plenty of bottled water with you; carry it with you at all times and sip regularly. Remember that drinking alcohol causes dehydration so for every alcoholic drink you have, match it with the same amount of water – pint for pint.
AVOID SUNBURN
Don’t forget to apply sun cream regularly; you can even burn when the weather is overcast. Take a tube of pure aloe vera gel with you in case you do get burnt. Its wonderful cooling effect can soothe the pain of burnt skin and speed up healing.
Try taking an Astaxanthin supplement daily; this powerful antioxidant reduces the damage to the skin caused by the sun’s powerful UV rays and its anti inflammatory action speeds up the time burnt skin takes to heal.
BEAT TUMMY BUGS
Festivals are not always the most hygienic places. Take some probiotic capsules for a week before you go and continue to take them while you are there. The friendly bacteria will help to strengthen your immune system against common stomach bugs.
Take plenty of antibacterial hand wipes and gel and use regularly. If you feel sick, peppermint or ginger tea can be wonderfully soothing. It would be worth taking some rehydration sachets with you as well just in case you do get a bout of sickness and /or diarrhoea.
PROTECT AGAINST BITES AND STINGS
These can be hard to avoid when you are spending a weekend outside. Insects generally attack at dusk so cover up at this time to avoid getting bitten. Use an insect repellent cream or spray containing natural ingredients such as citronella oil. If you do get bitten, try applying a little tiger balm to reduce swelling, pain and itching. Aloe vera can also help.
GIVE YOUR FEET SOME TLC
Whether its wellies or sandals weather, hobbling around with sore, blistered feet can make festivals a misery. Take an antiseptic foot cream with you – one containing tea tree oil is ideal. Make sure you keep your feet dry, as walking round in damp shoes all day can lead to fungal infections.
SLEEP WELL
Lack of sleep can be a real problem – festivals are loud and the partying usually carries on all night. Take some earplugs to block out the sound. If you are still having problems, try taking the herb valerian which aids restful sleep.
EMERGENCIES
As soon as you arrive on site make sure you check where the nearest first aid centre is. It may not be top of your festival ‘to do’ list but you will be very grateful that you did if you need them in an emergency.
