Can you hear the sleigh bells ringing? That’s because the holidays have arrived! However with this season’s good cheer, in comes the stress which may lead to tears, neck pain, shoulder pain, and headaches. This is especially the case during the Christmas season. The combination of the wrong food, too much alcohol, late nights, rushing around carrying heavy bags, and, let’s face it, family stress, can all lead to physical overload, taxing not only our physical bodies but our immune systems too. Let’s be prepared this season to tackle the holidays and be in great shape for the new year!
Here are some great tips to keep you in tip-top condition for anything this holiday throws you like…
Long Days Shopping in Santa’s Workshop
- Stay well-hydrated. Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water every day, and do not substitute any of that with coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol, because those are diuretics and will end up robbing you of water.
- Stretch both before and after a long day of finding goodies for the whole family. Shopping can be stressful and your muscles need all the help they can get to stay relaxed.
- Choose your shopping shoes for their comfort, not style. You need plenty of cushioning to counteract those endless hours on your feet.
- Wear comfortable clothing as well, and, if it’s cold out, have a few layers so you can peel them off and pile them on as you move from the streets to the warm shop interiors and back out again.
- Wear a fanny pack (aka bumbag) rather than carrying a shoulder bag, and try to keep its contents to the bare minimum.
- Any slight aches and pains you feel after a day out shopping, grab an ice pack and apply to the affected area for 20 minutes, before removing for at least two hours. Repeat several times over a day or two until you feel better.
Finding Time to Relax
- When having a serious shopping day, take a break every 45 minutes, or more often if you feel the need.
- In a mall or a shopping area where lockers are provided, use one to store your shopping bags as you acquire them. Or if you can park close by, drop the bags in the trunk every so often.
- If you’re hungry, eat something light or you’ll feel very sluggish when you resume shopping. It can also be dangerous to burden your system then continue with what can amount to physical exercise.
- Coffee may seem like a good idea as a quick boost, but it adds extra stress to the system. As for soda, that’s also not a good idea…ever. Stick with water.
Shopping With Children
- Children and extended shopping trips don’t go together. Not only will they tire before you do and want to go home, they will want to buy everything in every shop. That’s a double whammy of whining that’s going to stress you out. Try and get someone to look after them instead.
Wrap It Up With A Bow
- When you have a mound of gifts to wrap, make sure you don’t sit or stand in one position for too long, or you’ll start to ache. Vary your position, but avoid wrapping while sitting on the floor, even when carpeted, as this is very bad for your posture.
- It may sound a little OTT, but stretch before and after wrapping your gifts.
Let Us Be Helpful Elves this Season!
Here at our practice, our expert team is ready to make sure your spine and body is in tip top condition to not only to have the physical stamina to endure the season but to be able to battle the bustling crowds. Turbo boosting your immune system is a great added bonus!
Schedule a Quick and Easy Spinal Check-Up Today and Have Your Health Wrapped up for the Holidays!
For Your Health,
Dr. Steven M. Gillis
