Tis the season! But how do we ensure a happy healthy Christmas and also be ‘back smart’ this festive season?
Zoe Lofthouse Reading Chiropractor
Reading Chiropractor Dr Zoë Lofthouse (Doctor of Chiropractic) has read some fantastic advice from the United Chiropractic Association (UCA) and would like to share this, along with a few more tips, with you.
Firstly don’t ‘shop till you drop’ this Christmas, despite the pressure to get it all done and wrapped! As Always there is a right way and a wrong way to shop (best way is with the husband’s credit card). But seriously it is important to recognise the physical strain that shopping can place on your body. The UCA report there are more back, neck and shoulder injuries suffered during the Christmas holiday season than any other time of year; this is because many people have walked long distances, many women in high heel shoes carrying heavy bags and standing in queues. Many of these people may also benefit greatly from foot orthotics in their shoes to improve comfort and their biomechanics.
So here are a few handy tips:
- Why carry something when you don’t have to? Try shopping online, especially for heavy/bulky
Knackered by Christmas shopping?
items.
- Wear comfortable shoes and save those killer heels for the office Christmas do!
- Ladies, ditch the enormous handbag and opt for a smaller lightweight one. Don’t fill it up with unnecessary junk (pot calling kettle black!), only carry the essentials for the day ahead.
- A bag that you can carry across your body distributes weight more effectively.
- Standing in a long queue? Shift your weight from one leg to another and bend your knees occasionally.
- Carry shopping bags evenly in each hand to distribute weight – better still use a trolley!
- Take a regular breaks, shopping is hard work and tiring so ensure you keep yourself hydrated and eat healthy snacks.
- Avoid over-spending as this will cause further stress!
However the best tips for a happy healthy Christmas include: Laughing – it’s the best medicine of all; dancing – it’s a great workout; believing – tell yourself you will have a nice, stress free time, your beliefs are key to how you feel. Finally be grateful for and enjoy what you have; and be with the people you love!
If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of shopping or the stresses of Christmas make an appointment at Reflex Spinal Health today!
