Surviving the holiday season

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.

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 Motion Health wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!