The Gift of Health for the Holidays

It's that holiday time of year when everyone's thoughts turn to family, entertaining, shopping, gifts, decorating and more.  As the holidays near, it becomes more and more difficult to find time to take care of yourself, so many people find themselves exhausted, achy, overweight and stressed by the time the new year rolls in.  It doesn't have to be that way.  The trick is to take time to do the little things that can make a big difference in your health.

You may be baking up a storm with holiday cookies and desserts for parties and family dinners, but make sure that's not the only thing around the house that can be eaten quickly.  While you're at the store buying the ingredients for your creations, make sure to stock up on some healthy quick eats too, like low-sugar yogurt, hummus and pre-cut carrots, pre-cooked hard boiled eggs, fresh fruit, nuts and low-sugar/high protein energy bars.  That way, when you are rushed, stressed and hungry, there is something you can eat that takes no more time than stuffing holiday cookies in your mouth.

All of the standing, rushing and carrying of packages that is involved in shopping for holiday gifts and entertaining can take it's toll on your muscles and spine, causing pain and restricting your ability to enjoy the season.  Try to shop at less crowded times, lift and carry packages close to your body, and bend from the knees instead of the waist to minimize the stress these activities put on your body.  Small local retailers may be less crowded than the mega-stores, and you'll be helping the local economy by shopping there.

When decorating your home, you might be tempted to climb too high, lift too much. stretch too far or do too much at once.  Take the extra moment to get the right step stool or ladder, lift properly (as explained in the previous paragraph) and pace yourself.  If you make yourself so sore and tired that it takes three or more days to recover, did you really save any time?

When all of the cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping, card writing and decorating becomes a literal pain in the neck (or shoulders or back), take the time to get a chiropractic adjustment.  Better yet, do it before you're in pain to prevent its occurrence. We can generally get patients in and our of our office in around 15 minutes, and it could be your best investment of time this holiday season, resulting in less pain and exhaustion and more enjoyment.

Happy holidays to you and yours from everyone at Wantagh Woods Chiropractic and Wellness!