Why the Holidays Take a Toll
Between the holiday rush and the pandemic, this season is a particular challenge, especially for women, who tend to shoulder much of the shopping, decorating, planning, and cooking. That workload takes a toll on physical well-being, and stress and back pain often follow close behind. Head, back, and neck pain are among the most common pain problems affecting millions every day, and they may sometimes signal more serious underlying conditions that need professional care.
Here are some helpful tips from your trusted physical therapist to help you get through this holiday season, and the ones after it, pain-free.
Stretch and Move as Much as You Can
It's easy to become sedentary these days, and the holidays only make it easier, between preparation and shopping, it's tempting to slouch on the couch and tune into Netflix. But this is also the best time to keep moving and stretch those muscles. Physical therapists encourage their patients, and everyone, to take time to walk around and do some stretching exercises.
If you're visiting relatives and will be driving, it's best to stop and take a break to walk and stretch tense muscles. Using the same muscles for a long stretch of time causes pain and soreness afterward, and giving those muscles a break also helps prevent blood clot formation.
Stick to Your Physical Therapy Exercises and Medications
The holiday season is a time to celebrate, eat, and enjoy, but it's not an excuse to skip your medications or exercise routine. Keep up with your PT exercises and prescribed medications, and set an alarm for when to do them. Refill your medications if you're running low, especially if you're planning to travel, running out of stock is one of the most common reasons patients discontinue their medication, and forgetting altogether usually means more pain and discomfort. The goal is to enjoy the holidays pain-free.
Plan Your Holiday, Not Just the Menu
We usually go into the holidays without much of a plan, and not just for food prep and gift wrapping, but for how to move through the season without piling stress and pain onto your body. Women tend to be the most stressed during this season, staying busy and on their feet through the festivities, which can be a real problem if you have a pre-existing physical condition. Try to sit down and plan everything ahead of time: making holiday meals in advance and creating a specific shopping list will help you buy faster and move less, since you won't need to walk around for random items if you can order your meal or have someone cook it for you.
Get Your Daily Dose of Sunshine
Some people feel anxious and depressed, especially during winter, a pattern known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) that affects a lot of people and makes it harder for them to enjoy the holidays. They tend to stay in bed and find it hard to do daily activities. Getting enough sunlight helps improve mood, since it stimulates the production of serotonin, your body's happy hormone.
Each of us has a lot going on during the holiday season, or any given time for that matter. With the new year around the corner, it helps to prepare ourselves physically and mentally. Stick with your exercise routine, if you have one, so you can really enjoy your time regardless of what the world is going through.