Incontinence Tips of Christmas 2023

The festive season is a time for us to enjoy quality time with friends and family. For people affected by incontinence, though, the festive period can come with heightened worries and anxieties around managing their condition. We’ve collated our own 12 incontinence tips of Christmas to help you enjoy this year’s festivities with minimal worry.

Some people think that you can defeat the sudden urge by reducing your liquid intake, but this isn’t true. In fact, being dehydrated increases the concentration of the urine that is in the bladder, causing irritation and often increasing the urge to use the restroom. Be sure to maintain a steady water intake to keep your insides happy.

December is a busy time for many of us but try to set aside a few moments to ensure you’re amply stocked up for the holidays. Many businesses and facilities close or operate at reduced hours over the festive period which may decrease your options if the need becomes sudden. Having a decent stock of incontinence products can provide added peace of mind that you’ll have what you need in a pinch.

In addition to our previous stocking up tip, you may find it useful to stock up on extra absorbent products for the Christmas period. This can help reduce the number of times you have to replace products when you’re out of the house for longer periods.

Accidents happen from time to time, and that’s okay. Wearing darker clothing can significantly help in masking leaks should you not quite reach the restroom in time.

Having a spare change of clothes is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety around being out of the house for longer periods of time. Throw a spare change of clothes in your wine bag and enjoy the day knowing you have backup should you need it.

Completing the trifecta of festive clothing tips is dressing for ease. Consider wearing clothing that can be easily manoeuvred or removed, such as clothing with elasticated waistbands and zips/Velcro instead of buttons. This can make all the difference if a sudden urge arises.

We all love a tipple during the festive season but be sure to know your limits and don’t overindulge. Doing this can exacerbate your condition and increase the risk of leaks. Plan out your intake beforehand and enjoy the festivities without worry.

It’s not just liquids that can flare up incontinence. Take care with your food intake and avoid anything that may irritate the bowels and trigger untimely urges while you’re enjoying the party.

We’ve talked about packing incontinence products themselves, but you also want to make sure you’re taking care of your skin too. Wipes can help lift excess moisture from the skin and keep you feeling fresh and confident between product changes. Throwing a pack in your travel bag can make all the difference.

Driving home for Christmas is the best feeling, right? You want to keep it that way. Your restroom choices may be more limited during this time of year, so be sure to time a little extra time to plan your route ahead of time and establish some designated stops should you need them. This way you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly where your options are.

Many of us stay with friends and family over Christmas. If you feel the urge may come during the night, ask to stay in a room situated close to the bathroom for quick access when needed.

We hope we’ve been a help with our tips, but by far the greatest tip we can give is to speak to your GP if you’re feeling anxious about your condition. They’ll be able to help you personalise your plan of action for the festive season, leaving you free to enjoy special time with friends and family.