Tips to Avoid Injury This Holiday Season

The holiday season is in full swing and the new year is fast approaching. This busy time of year is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends, see the festive decorations and enjoy a nice meal with the ones we love. However, it can also be a time where we put much more stress on our bodies than we are probably used to. Between the extended walking while trying to find the perfect gift, standing at holiday parties and lifting all the packages, boxes and bags, it's important to take care of ourselves so that we can enjoy the holidays pain free!

Here are 5 tips to help avoid injury during the holidays.

1. Congratulations! You have finished all of your Christmas shopping! Now comes the task of wrapping them all. Before you get started, make sure that you have a good work space. You want to place your gifts on a surface that allows you to either sit or stand up with your back straight and not bent over. This will help decrease neck and shoulder pain due to poor posture.

2. Lifting packages can be really tough on your body. Try to get as close to your package as possible before lifting. Then, bend your knees into a squat, lift the package and hold it close to you. If it's a heavy package, make sure to ask for help!

3. Who else likes to bake Christmas cookies this time of year? Whether you're making 1 dozen or 12 dozen, how you stand can play a huge role in how you feel when they're done. Stand up tall with weight evenly distributed on each foot. Gently draw your belly button in and slightly tuck your tailbone to achieve ideal standing posture while you bake.

4. Traveling to see relatives this season? Make sure you arrive refreshed and ready to spread Christmas cheer. Take breaks along the way to stretch and move around at least every hour, whether it's a pit stop during your road trip or a walk up and down the aisle on the plane.

5. Fallen out of your exercise routine? Waiting until the new year to set fresh resolutions? Exercise is good for you and your body. However, we tend to fall out of our typical routine during this busy time. Make sure you are taking time to take care of yourself so that you can continue to live the healthy lifestyle you love.

Have other questions about how to stay healthy and decrease your risk for injury? Email us at info@tandempt.com to get your questions answered!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Tandem Physical Therapy!