Carnival: Guide to survive the revelry – 02/17/2023 – Equilíbrio

Testing the glitter on the forearm before applying it to the face, stretching the body and relying on the support network to avoid overdoing it can help revelers enjoy Carnival without hassles before or after the party.

Experts heard by Sheet give tips on how to take advantage of the euphoria caused by the full return of Carnival, which has been canceled or postponed in recent years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Establish your support network

To combat excesses that can cause regret or put your health at risk, Liliana Seger, psychologist and doctor in Psychology from USP (University of São Paulo), recommends enjoying the party without giving up support networks.

The tip is to make agreements with friends (especially those who don’t drink or are more sober) so that they can help set limits so as not to get emotionally hurt.

Seger also recommends knowing the route of the blocks to know where to seek help from public officials and look for safety tips.

To enjoy the moment with joy, but without despair, she also suggests fun and care at other times of the year. “Always take care of your mental health and don’t let the rope stretch to the maximum until you want to release it all at once at Carnival”, says Seger.

Talk to a doctor if you have plans to consume something

Eduardo Humes, a psychiatrist and coordinator of Grapal (Psychological Assistance Group for Students) at FMUSP (Faculty of Medicine at the University of São Paulo), points out that there can always be consequences when the topic is consumption or mixing drugs.

Humes recommends that revelers don’t forget to talk honestly with a doctor if they intend to consume any kind of drug during the party. “If you’re going to use drugs, it’s important to do it responsibly. Someone who mixes antidepressants with ecstasy, for example, has a great chance of getting sick”, says Humes.

“This can negatively impact your health, so be sure to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a chronic illness or take medication for continuous use”, completes the psychiatrist.

Alternate alcohol with water and don’t leave your stomach empty

When you’re on the revelry, the tip is to mix alcohol with water, according to Sabrina Theil, a nutritionist with a postgraduate degree in phytotherapy from the IPGS (Institute of Research in Health Education and Management). The professional says that the tip for drinking safely is to intersperse the doses of alcohol with water intake.

“Alcohol toxicity decreases when we intersperse with water consumption. We also end up drinking less alcohol when we do that”, says Theil.

She also recommends that revelers don’t forget to eat between drinks. Yogurt, açaí with granola, wholemeal bread sandwich with tuna paste, fruit smoothies and protein bars are good and easy to find options, says the nutritionist.

Before going to the party, the ideal is to consume a complete meal, with protein, carbohydrates and fat. “It can be a lunch consisting of rice, beans, meat and salad or, in warm places, lighter meals, such as protein and salad drizzled with olive oil”, says the professional.

Choose the right shoes

Janaina Candido, a physical educator and personal trainer with a postgraduate degree in Movement Biomechanics and Female Training from FMU (United Metropolitan Colleges), recommends leaving high heels aside to avoid spraining the foot and preserving the spine. Very flat soles, on the other hand, can make the heel sore, so the best option is to wear comfortable and firm sneakers.

Another important tip is to stretch before and after the party to avoid injuries.

“When we jump a lot in the revelry, the muscles are tense. Stretching helps to relax the muscles and avoid pain in the lower back, knee or other regions”, says Candido.

Apply sunscreen and test the glitter

To take care of the skin, Juliana Hypólito, a specialist in dermatology by the SBD (Brazilian Society of Dermatology), recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. The ideal is to reapply the protection every 2 hours, but if this is not possible, using the product again at least once a day already makes a difference, says the specialist.

“Before leaving the house, it’s best to apply sunscreen before putting on your clothes so you don’t forget any unprotected parts”, says Hypólito. The specialist also recommends the use of a hat to preserve the scalp.

In order to avoid allergies with glitter, paints and makeup, it is recommended to test the product on the forearm the day before using it on the face.

“If you notice that the skin is red, itchy, irritated or burning, the ideal is to try to remove makeup as soon as possible and, if possible, seek the help of your dermatologist”, says the professional.