11 Tips For A Healthier Holiday Season
As exciting as the holidays can be, the added stress that comes along can really affect how your body functions. Whether you’ll be doing a lot of shopping, cooking, wrapping presents, or attending holiday parties, chances are you’ll be putting your body through a lot more than it’s normally accustomed to and all of this can trigger back and neck pain. Here are 11 Holiday Season Wellness Hacks to help you prepare for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Shopping Tips
- Dress appropriately before heading out for a day of shopping. Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes with arch supports and leave your heavy purse at home. Opt for a light backpack or a fanny pack to carry your personal belongings.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- A long day of shopping, i.e. walking, should be treated like an athletic event. Make sure you stretch before and after.
- Make extra trips to the car to drop off your goods so you don’t have to carry those heavy bags around all day.
- Take advantage of online shopping. Skip the long lines and crowded malls completely and shop from the comfort of your own home.
- Simplify your to-do list by picking up gift cards at the grocery store. You’ll get two errands done in one stop.
Wrapping Tips
- Use a table or a counter to wrap gifts. The floor is a less than ideal spot to do your wrapping. Standing or sitting in a chair will promote better posture and help you avoid back and neck pain.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to wrap all of your gifts. Wrapping a few at a time is best.
Wellness Hacks
- Don’t neglect your fitness routine. Although you’ll be busier than normal, it’s important to keep those workouts on your daily to-do list. Even a quick 20-minute workout is better than skipping it all together and you’ll be helping to manage your stress.
- Get enough sleep. The holidays won’t be as enjoyable if you aren’t catching enough z’s. Make sure you’re getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
- Try to stay on track with your healthy eating. Gaining extra weight will only contribute to back pain and health problems. Before attending a party, make sure you eat something healthy and drink plenty of water to avoid overeating while you’re there. It’s ok to indulge a little with holiday treats, just be sure to be sensible about it.
- With some simple preparation, you can manage holiday stressors and ward off debilitating back and neck pain. If you do experience pain this season, please give our office a call. We’re experts at finding the root cause of your pain and can help you get back to a better quality of life.