Beach bags are packed, braais are blazing, and Mzansi is ready to celebrate. But pharmacist Vukona Baloyi wants South Africans to add one more thing to their December checklist: staying healthy.
“The holiday season should be about making memories, not medical emergencies. Yet every year, we see people caught off-guard by the same healthcare challenges,” says Baloyi, a pharmacist at Medipost Pharmacy, South Africa’s first courier pharmacy.
The perfect storm
“The combination of travel, extreme heat, disrupted routines, heavy meals and increased alcohol use can quickly overwhelm even the healthiest people.
“Every year, we see the same pattern. People forget their chronic medicine, spend long hours in the sun and eat or drink far more than usual. The result is a wave of avoidable health problems landing in pharmacies and in doctors’ rooms,” adds Baloyi.
A range of physical and mental health concerns tend to rise over the holidays. Respiratory infections, stomach bugs, dehydration, sunburn and digestive distress become more common as families gather, travel increases and food is prepared in large quantities. Many people also experience heightened stress, anxiety or low mood once normal routines fall away.
When heat meets medicine
Baloyi highlights that summer heat creates additional challenges for those on medication. “High temperatures can damage certain medications and reduce their effectiveness. If tablets change colour or smell, or if insulin or liquid medicines look unusual, it’s safest not to use them.
“Some medicines also make you more vulnerable to heat and sun exposure. These include common treatments for diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and depression. If you’re unsure, a quick chat with your pharmacist could save you from severe sunburn or heat exhaustion,” she explains.
Heatstroke and dehydration are also common summer challenges. Baloyi stresses the importance of consistent hydration, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding peak sun hours and listening to early warning signs like dizziness, cramps, nausea or extreme tiredness.
Party wisely, medicate religiously
Heavy meals, irregular eating patterns and relaxed food safety habits contribute to a spike in heartburn, bloating, indigestion and foodborne illness. Alcohol can further worsen symptoms – and may interact unpredictably with chronic medicines.
“Missed chronic medication remains one of the most serious risks during the holidays. Skipping chronic medicine, even for a few days, can be dangerous. We regularly see uncontrolled blood pressure, unstable blood glucose, asthma flare-ups, or rebound symptoms when treatment lapses during the festive rush.
“If you are drinking over the holidays, check with a pharmacist first. Alcohol interacts with far more medicines than people realise, including common chronic treatments. It can increase side effects or stop your medication from working properly,” Baloyi points out.
Kids need extra care
Children are especially vulnerable during holiday travel and outdoor activities. Respiratory viruses, stomach bugs, sunburn, dehydration and injuries tend to rise in December. Families are encouraged to keep a well-stocked first-aid kit including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain and fever medicine, antihistamines, sunscreen, insect repellent and any personal prescription medicines.
Travel itself can introduce additional risks such as motion sickness, dehydration, and, on long journeys, blood clots. Baloyi recommends taking regular breaks, staying hydrated, and ensuring all medication, including spares, are packed safely.
Smart travel, safe holidays
Planning a road trip? Long hours in the car bring their own challenges. Baloyi’s travel tips include:
- Take breaks every two hours to stretch and move
- Keep medications in the cool interior, not the hot boot
- Pack medicines in carry-on luggage when flying
- Bring copies of prescription information
- Stay hydrated (yes, even if it means more bathroom stops)
Your December action plan
Baloyi’s prescription for a healthy holiday season is refreshingly simple:
- Before you leave: Collect chronic medications, update your first-aid kit, and check medicine interactions with alcohol
- During celebrations: Stay hydrated, eat safely prepared food, and pace yourself
- In the heat: Seek shade during peak hours (10 am-4 pm), wear protective clothing, and monitor medication storage
- If problems arise: Don’t wait – speak to a pharmacist immediately
The bottom line
This December, give yourself the gift of good health. A little planning now means more time enjoying what matters – whether that’s splashing in the pool with the kids, catching up with loved ones, or simply relaxing in the shade with a good book.
Also see: Women’s health trends for 2026: what will matter most
