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Stay Sane This Holiday Season

It’s that time of year again.  The smell of holiday baked goods, Christmas lights aglow everywhere you look, excited children waiting for a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas parties and family gatherings.  And yes, another season of absolute stress! 

Along with all this holiday glory comes an addition of tasks to juggle in an already busy schedule! With all the baking, decorating, shopping, and wrapping, it’s no wonder why this can be a time of year that seems to come all too quickly!

Unfortunately, stress can drastically affect your health in a negative way. Here are some important tips that can not only take some of the stress out of this hectic season, but can also keep you healthy and energized to face it all with cheer!

        ·         Make lists.  This will help you stay organized and on track with all the to do’s the    season brings.                                                                                                                             

        ·         Plan ahead. Plan when you’ll complete each task.  By setting a deadline for your tasks, you can see what has to be done by when, ensuring everything gets completed in time for when it’s needed instead of waiting until the last minute.

        ·         Wrap-as-You-Shop.  If you wrap as you go, you won’t be overwhelmed with a five foot pile of gifts to be wrapped the night before Christmas.  It’s easier and more manageable to wrap as you go– and you’ll be surprised to see that you have more than you thought under the tree and maybe save you some money on some unnecessary gifts.

        ·         Swap baby-sitting with friends so you can shop hands-free. If you can figure out a way to shop alone you will be way less stressed, as I’m sure any parent can contest!

        ·         Avoid overindulging. This doesn’t mean you should deprive yourself of all the holiday goodies, but enjoy the foods (and drinks!) in moderation. Overeating is a stress to the body and will leave you feeling tired and unhealthy. And steer clear of those post-holiday hangovers. They will put you in a mood for anything but holiday cheer!

        ·         December debt a problem? January 2, start a “Next-December Savings Account” and auto-transfer in each week. It adds up! A Christmas account assures that you have your Christmas finances set and you don’t have to try to “find” the money once December hits. 

        ·         Most importantly, take time for yourself.  Get plenty of rest, eat right and don’t forego your exercise and wellness regimens, including your regular chiropractic adjustments!  Now is the time when you need every ounce of energy and your immune system to be at its most powerful.  Nobody wants to spend the holidays sick and tired.  

With so many things to think about during this time of year, people are more likely to do things that can set them up for back pain! Here are some common holiday activities that can become a pain in the back:

        •          Lifting. When lifting heavy packages, firewood, the frozen turkey, etc., lift with your legs, not your back and hold objects close to your body. Rather than flexing forward, maintain a slight arch in your lower back and bend at the knees before standing up with the object.

        •          Standing. Waiting in line and cooking are common holiday activities. If you are going to be standing for an extended period, elevate one foot with a foot rest, stacked books, or package, about six inches from the floor. Alternately elevating each foot relieves tired back and leg muscles.

        •          Traveling. Minimize travel stress by starting well-rested, allow plenty of extra time to your destination, pack light, and use well-balanced wheeled luggage when you can. Place a pillow or folded towel behind the small of the back when traveling to help maintain the arch in your lower back.