The holiday season is a time of giving and sharing, great merriment and fun. Yet, it can also be a time of great stress and strain if you spread yourself too thin and try to meet every demand of the hustle and bustle of the season. The following five easy chiropractor tips can help put you on your way to a healthier and happier holiday season.
Decorate with care
Decorating the home is a wonderful way to open the holiday season. Yet, decorating usually involves lugging heavy boxes of decorations out of storage, whether from the attic, basement, closet, or garage. To protect your back, remember to bend your knees and use your legs and not your back to lift. Also remember to lift straight and never twist and lift at the same time. Hand carts are recommended for moving heavy boxes from one space to another. Practicing safe back care when decorating can help ensure that you are healthy for the holidays.
Online shopping? Watch your posture
Many people now do a majority of their shopping online. This helps reduce the stress of standing in long lines. Yet online shopping can create another type of stress on your body if you aren't careful. That culprit is poor posture. Long periods at your computer, notepad, or smartphone can cause pain and stiffness if proper sitting posture is not practiced. Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your back naturally against the back of the chair. Relax your shoulders and remember to take regular breaks to walk and stretch.
Traditional in-store shopping? Use a cart
Chiropractors recommend using a cart when available instead of a hand basket to collect your shopping goods. A cart will help you keep the strain off your neck, shoulders, and back. If only a hand basket is available, carry it with both hands, centering the weight close to your mid-torso.
Have a food plan when attending parties
It's easy to get carried away and overindulge in holiday treats and sweets. Make smart and healthy food choices by having a food plan before you attend a party. There are many strategies to help you with this depending on the type of party. Leave space on your plate so you don't overload it. Stick close to the fruit and vegetable platters if you are feeling like snacking and by all means enjoy a dessert, but just one.
Manage stress - it's really okay to say no
Part of what creates a lot of holiday stress for many people is the abundance of parties and get-togethers that take place and the need to feel like you should attend every one of them. If you don't have the time to attend an event, it's really okay to decline the invitation and give your best wishes. Make room during your holiday season to laugh, smile, and enjoy your friends and family.
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