Holiday Survival
Chiropractors get asked all the time about ways to prevent
injuries. Well with shopping season upon
us here are some survival tips from your Woodbridge, Dale City Virginia
Chiropractor.
The holidays seem to come earlier and earlier every year --
and along with them, the stresses and strains of frenzied holiday shopping.
Take a stroll through your local mall, and you'll already see symbols of the
approaching holiday season -- from Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations to
notices of blowout sales. As your muscles tense with each passing day, the
American Chiropractic Association (ACA) asks, "Are you ready for the
holiday shopping challenge?"
"Our bodies have the capacity to do a little more than
we normally do," says Dr. Scott Bautch, past president of the ACA's
Council on Occupational Health. "But our bodies do not adapt very well to
doing a lot more than we normally do. Since the added demands of this season
can stress the capacity of our bodies, we need to do everything we can to help
ourselves. Eat right, drink plenty of water, stretch, exercise and take a few
minutes to slow down and reflect on what the season is all about."
So relax and enjoy the holidays! Dr. Bautch and the ACA encourage
you to consider the following tips to help keep you and your loved ones
healthy, happy and safe this season.
Treat Holiday Shopping As An Athletic Event
Stay hydrated! Drink eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of water a
day. (Coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcohol are dehydrators. Don't substitute
them for water.) On shopping days, you may need to drink even more water.
Be sure to stretch before and after a long day of shopping.
When you are stressed-out, your muscles are less flexible than usual.
Wear shoes with plenty of cushioning in the soles to absorb
the impact of walking on those hard shopping mall floors.
Make sure your clothing is as comfortable as possible. It's
a good idea to wear layers, because you may be going from a cold environment
(outdoors) to a warm environment (indoors).
Leave your purse at home. Wear a light fanny pack, or if
necessary, a light backpack instead. Pack only those items that are absolutely
essential (driver's license, credit card, etc.).
If you start to feel some pain, nip it in the bud. Apply an
ice bag to the affected area for 20 minutes, then take it off for a couple of
hours. Repeat a couple of times each day over the next day or two.
"During the holiday season, we're running at absolute
maximum capacity, which can lead to stress and even depression," says Dr.
Bautch. "We need to stretch and stay hydrated to increase our capacity, so
we are not overwhelmed by the activities of the season."
Plan Frequent Breaks Into Your Shopping Day
During a day of heavy shopping, most people should take a
break every 45 minutes. Those with less stamina may even need to take breaks
more frequently.
If possible, obtain a locker. Lockers can help cut down
dramatically on how much you have to carry around. You can take a load off by
scheduling trips to your locker into your breaks.
If your mall or shopping center doesn't offer lockers, try
to plan trips to your car. Don't carry around more than is absolutely necessary
at one time.
When taking breaks, try to eat light foods. A salad and some
fruit is a much better option than a burger and fries.
Skip the coffee break! Coffee and sodas contain caffeine and
sugar, which add even more stress to your body. Pass on the designer coffee at
the java stand and keep drinking water.
"We actually need to eat better than normal during the
holiday season," explains Dr. Bautch. "On average, people gain five
to six pounds during the holidays. And heart attacks occur more often during
the holidays as well. Eating a heavy meal and then running out on an exhausting
shopping trip can be very dangerous."
Shopping With Children
If at all possible, DO NOT bring children along on a holiday
shopping trip. Most children simply do not have the stamina for such an event,
and you and your child will only become frustrated with one another. Don't add
this type of stress to an already stressful situation.
Try to split "child duty" up with a spouse or
another parent. They'll watch your kids while you shop, and vice-versa.
"Shopping with children is just a bad idea," says
Dr. Bautch. "If your hands are loaded with shopping bags, you may not be
able to hold your child's hand, which could increase the chances he or she
might wander away from you. Take whatever steps necessary to not have to bring
your child along."
Wrapping Your Gifts
Since there is no "ideal" position for wrapping
gifts, the most important thing to remember is to vary your positions. For
example, try standing at a table or countertop for one package, sitting on a
bed for another, sitting in a comfortable chair for another, etc.
Do not wrap packages while sitting on the floor. Wrapping
packages while sitting on a hard floor can wreak havoc on your posture, and
should be avoided.
Always stretch before and after you wrap gifts.
"When wrapping presents, it's a good idea to 'stretch
the opposites,'" says Dr. Bautch. "In other words, if you are leaning
forward when wrapping your gifts, stretch backward when you are done."
Chiropractic Care Can Help
If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of holiday
shopping, consider a visit to your doctor of chiropractic. Your doctor of
chiropractic can help alleviate your pain naturally, so you can enjoy the
holiday season as it was meant to be.
3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102
Woodbridge VA 22192
703 730 9588
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