How to survive the holiday season

Published: 29 November 2016 - Nutrition and Healthy Eating, Wellbeing

Image of a family at the beach

The Christmas holiday period is usually a fun but busy time of the year.

It can also be an extremely indulgent time where health and fitness may not be our top priority. We tend to squeeze in multiple social events which causes us to eat and drink more and often get a lot less sleep. Added to this are the crazy deadlines we put on ourselves to get things done before Christmas and the New Year.

Unfortunately all of this means it can be a stressful and/or exhausting period on the body in many ways.

Here are our seven tips to help you survive the upcoming holiday season.

1. Keep moving

Go for a walk or do some physical activity and make it a regular part of your holiday period. Enjoy the fine weather or at least use daylight saving to add some exercise in at the end of your day.

Read more: 10 playground workout moves

2. Be mindful of your posture

Watch your spine when either lugging heavy gifts around at the shops, or when stooped over wrapping all those presents.

Listen to your body for any warning signs that may indicate you have an injury; such as reduced range of motion, stiffness, pain, or soreness.

And if you are in pain or already managing an injury, avoid the mad dash to get your house perfect before relatives arrive. It is no use having it glowing when you are in agony.

3. Everything in moderation

Just because it’s Christmas does not mean you have to challenge Santa’s diet! Try to remember everything in moderation. According to Nutrition Australia we put on an average of 0.8-1.5kg over the Christmas period. It can take weeks just to shed those kilos; not a great start to the New Year.

And yes, that means alcohol!

Make an alcohol deal with yourself! Don’t have any more than you would have had normally if it wasn’t Christmas. Alcohol dehydrates you and has vast negative effects on your health and wellbeing. Balance each glass with a glass of water or herbal tea.

4. Manage your mental health

Anxiety, depression and stress are very common during the festive season. Reflect on the success you had this year not your perceived misgivings. Use the time to set your goals for the New Year, and remember make them achievable.

5. Get enough sleep

Break up your events by planning some early nights in and commit to your sleep routine.

6. Wear the right footwear

Suddenly breaking out those thongs, sandals and other such unsupportive footwear can play havoc with feet, knees, hips and backs. Add to that lots more standing around at parties and it can be a recipe for disaster.

7. Know your limits

Be mindful of enthusiastically testing out new presents or demonstrating how to do something to the kids, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve ridden a bike or a skateboard or bowled a cricket ball (or if you have been partaking in alcohol)! Don’t ruin your holidays by getting injured.

The practice teams at Back In Motion across Australia wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.

And if you do need a physio, book by calling one of our locations or call our free 24-hour injury hotline: 0419 132 894.

Author

Emma Hindhaugh, Director and Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Bayswater

Emma was born, raised and educated in Melbourne. She graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 1994 and has worked in the public and private sector. In 2001 Emma and her husband Tom bought Bayswater Physiotherapy which later became Back in Motion Bayswater. As well as raising 3 young boys. Emma returned to University completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in 2010, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Exercise for Women in 2011. This has given her the qualifications needed to treat all continence issues, pre and post natal conditions and pelvic pain conditions for both men, women and children.

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