How to Survive and Thrive at Spring Carnival

It’s that time of the year where Australians are getting geared up for one the most significant events on the calendar: the Spring Carnival. From Derby Day to Melbourne Cup and everything in between, it’s an exciting slice of our national culture to be a part of.

However, with race days often comes the misfortune of overly-eager racegoers who forget to take proper care of their health. To ensure you make the most of your Spring Carnival experience and sidestep any potential regrets, we’ve prepared this quick six-point checklist to help you stay out of trouble. Your body will thank you for it.

Avoid a big night before

Perhaps it’s the Friday night before Stakes Day or the Monday evening before the Melbourne Cup public holiday. You knock off work and are keen to get into the racing spirit. While a few drinks can’t hurt, be careful not to overdo it and ruin the next day for yourself. Be sensible, go to bed early, and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated for a full day of celebrations.

Pre-plan your transport

Many racegoers will opt for public transport to get to and from their race event. While this is usually fine for heading to Flemington, be mindful that crowds can get chaotic at the end of the day. Avoid getting crushed in the stampede to the train station or waiting around in the hot sun for a taxi by booking your transport beforehand. Delegate a time to leave and order an Uber or cab for then — this is not only a safer option, but can also be a cheaper one if you have four people in the car.

Have a decent meal before you go

Many people will flock to Flemington earlier in the day, with their morning consisting of getting ready and perhaps indulging in a few pre-race drinks. Often, this means breakfast might be missed. However, a proper meal will be your buoy throughout the day and provide a foundation for avoiding a hangover the next morning. Consider having a hearty brunch — a bacon and egg toasted sandwich is great for lining your stomach, while foods such as chicken and avocado take longer to digest, thereby helping to slow down the increase in blood alcohol levels.

Keep hydrated and be mindful of your alcohol choices

Of course, drinking plenty of water on the day is essential. While water won’t protect your liver, it will help to moderate the effects of drinking in the sun for hours. Try to have a glass of water between each alcoholic drink, and switch up your champagnes for lighter beverages such as a Vodka lime and soda, a gin and tonic or a light beer.

Don’t let fashion get in the way of sun smarts

While Spring Carnival is all about dressing to the nines, make sure you take care of your skin in the process. Apply sunscreen liberally half an hour before you leave, and pop a travel tube in your clutch or pocket for re-applications every two hours. If your headwear on the day happens to be a wide-brimmed hat, even better.

Protect your feet

Race days often call for ‘oh-so-high’ heels for the women, which can make for the picture of elegance at the beginning of the day, yet lead to blisters, bruises and cramps as the hours go on. Avoid hobbling off the racecourse by investing in your feet beforehand. When shopping for that perfect pair of shoes, be practical: wedges, low heels, rounded toe shapes, buckles and straps all offer ticks of approval. Furthermore, a soft leather or fabric will often be more forgiving than patent leather options. Also consider paying a visit to your pharmacy to pick up some gel cushions for the balls of your feet, gel heel grips, and arch supports — these take up next-to-no room and can be easily slipped into your clutch. Last but not least, fit in a pedicure or pull out that emery board and attend to any areas of hard skin, then apply a moisturiser or heel balm to soften the skin. This will help prevent blisters from developing.