Happy Holidays from Dr. Hafer, Jackie, and Sedona
Hurry…hurry…hurry. What does my [insert who you can’t figure out what to get a gift for] want? Why can’t I find [insert that perfect gift you’ve been trying to find]? How many days until Christmas? Aaawwwww!!!
Stop, breathe, and look up into the sky. Think about all the wonders you’ve experienced this past year. Now you’re ready to read this and learn some techniques to reduce the stress the Holiday Season always brings. Did you know stress brings on depression which will decrease your lifespan? Don’t become an early statistic – breathe again, close your eyes, and consider all you have to be thankful about.
Practice Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Techniques for a Longer Life
Stress causes muscle tightness and tension. We’ve all had that ache in our neck or shoulders that slowly escalated into neck pain, headaches, and a loss of mobility. What have you done to take care of it BEFORE it becomes unmanageable? Here are a few tips:
- Practice deep breathing exercises. You’ve hopefully already done some deep breathing at the beginning of this read. Meditation and progressive muscle relaxation also decrease stress.
- Do activities that bring you joy. It’s the little things in life that matter. Read, spend some time in nature, work with your hands. Many people find a gratitude journal is a helpful tool to get them through a stressful time.
- Tune into your body. It’s telling you what’s wrong if you listen! Your body will tell you when it’s time to rest, stretch, hydrate, or move.
Pair mindfulness with gentle bodywork (like chiropractic care or massage) for better self-care. You’re worth it. One way to relieve stress that we tend to ignore is movement.
Commit Yourself to Consistent Movement for Decreased Stress
Regular physical activity strengthens your muscles and gives better support to your spine. Moving also promotes overall mobility and wellness. Movement doesn’t mean training for a marathon. Here are some activities you can fit into your busy holiday schedule.
- Try to get 30 minutes of low impact moderate exercise every day. If you’re walking the mall you’re already doing this. Just try to walk with less stress (see breathing above). Swimming is also a great low-impact exercise. Remember that next summer!
- Incorporate strength training into your daily life. If you haven’t done this before, think of those cans of tomatoes as weights. As you’re unloading the groceries, spend a little extra time hefting each can like you’re a bodybuilder. You won’t have bulging muscles but you will have a little more strength to pick up your grandkids.
- Stand on one leg next to the counter. Can you hold your balance for 10 seconds? No? Ask your chiropractor to give you stability exercises to improve coordination and to prevent injuries. Falling will put you out of commission when you’d most like to see your family.
Chiropractic adjustments create the foundation for a healthy spine and nervous system. Self care builds on that foundation by promoting healing, mobility, and overall vitality. Combine deep breathing, light exercise, and chiropractic care to de-stress your holidays.
Have a wonderful Holiday Season!
