Five Tips for a Happy Holiday Season from Your Chiropractor

‘Tis the season for hustle and bustle. It seems everyone in Burnsville, MN is running around to parties, shopping for gifts, preparing for family gatherings and enjoying twinkling lights. But, lights aside, the stress of the holidays can take a toll on your body.

So, take a long big belly breath. Take a step back and consider these five tips for happier holiday season.  

Shop Lighter and Pace Yourself

We all do more online shopping, now, but there are still groceries to buy and those last minute most stressful in-store purchases. When you are out in the stores consider how you might lighten your load. Try to leave your heavy bag at home and consider renting a stroller for your bags.

Remember it’s not a marathon, so pace yourself.

A few years back, we shared some tips for keeping your back happy while gift shopping. It’s worth another reminder that the main issue with shopping is the bending and twisting to lift items. Understand that a lifetime of bad shopping habits can lead to serious back issues, like arthritis.

Comfortable Traveling

Travel can wreak havoc on your back whether you are traveling across country via airplane or up north by car to see grandma. Consider our tips for any type of travel:

• Start out with some stretches and do stretches throughout your trip.
• Warm up by taking a brisk walk to stretch your hamstring and calf muscles.
• Keep moving. Get up (or out) every 1-2 hours to prevent soreness and cramping. Bathroom breaks are a great excuse to move.
• Consider your posture and sit up straight. If your seat doesn’t have lumbar support, roll-up a towel and place it behind you.  
• Drink your water. Your muscles need water to keep them hydrated

Continue Your Workout Routine

With all the craziness of the season, it is easy to rationalize missing your regular workouts. There is so much peer pressure to eat more, drink more and forget your regular routine. But, in fact, it is great time to add another training session, to help combat the stress and added calories.

And, don’t forget to breathe. Take some extra time to breathe and do some breathing exercises

Avoiding Sickness

All of the togetherness of the season means more spreading of the germs to one another. But, if you are following our other tips, you on a great route to healthy holidays. Here are a few more to help keep the germs at bay:

• Get plenty of sleep - If you wonder how much sleep you need, we have you covered with some questions and tips.
• Don’t touch your face
• Wash your hands frequently
• Eat a healthy diet - don’t forget your fruits and vegetables along with you cookies!Drink water - In fact, this would be a great New Year’s resolution!

See Your Chiropractor

If your back is hurting or your neck doesn’t feel right, you won’t be having as much fun as you could be having! Make time to come in for 20 minutes, and walk away with better overall health and less pain. It’s the natural way to aligning your whole body for better health.

We hope no matter what holidays you are celebrating, that they are happy and healthy. And, here’s to another great New Year!

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash