The holiday season while filled with joy, can also bring its share of challenges—physical and emotional. With shopping, decorating, and social events, it’s easy to let movement and self-care fall by the wayside. Here are a few tips to keep your body feeling its best this season:
1. Mind Your Posture & Stretch Between Tasks
Standing for long periods or sitting hunched over a project can lead to tension in your back, neck, and shoulders. Reset your posture by relaxing your shoulders and imagining your head floating up from your body, while taking a few slow breaths to melt the tension away. Follow up with gentle stretches to reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and help avoid the fatigue.
2. Breathe to Reboot
If holiday stress starts to creep in, bring your attention inward, focussing only on your breath. A few moments of mindful breathing can recenter the mind on the present. If you’re at home, an easy way to refocus is to unplug from electronic devices and stare at a lit candle for a few minutes. You’ll be surprised how this can help calm your nervous system and ease tension, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refocussed.
3. Take Short Breaks for Movement
The extra flurry of activities over the holidays often has us skipping physical activity. A quick 5-10 minute walk after a meal or a few simple mobility exercises can do wonders for keeping your joints happy. “Motion is lotion” isn’t just a cute expression; movement helps the viscous fluid in the joints become more fluid, reducing friction and easing pain. Small, consistent movements are better than none at all.
4. Balance Activity with Proper Rest
While movement is essential, so is rest. Be sure to carve out time for recovery, whether it’s a nap, a warm bath, or just a quiet moment to yourself. It is especially important to maintain consistent sleep and wake times. It’s during post-exercise rest that the body is in full cellular repair. That’s when muscle builds, fat loss occurs, soft tissue repairs and brain health improves. Deep sleep typically occurs within an hour of falling asleep. The more time we allow for that to happen, the more likely we are to have long bouts of restorative sleep. This is when the magic happens!
5. Unwind Holiday Tension with Expert Care
Long hours standing or sitting combined with holiday overwhelm can trigger the onset of sudden pain flares. Fascia Stretch Therapy helps unwind your fascia to unlock your body, so you can unleash your full potential. This is the ultimate stress reliever to help you to tackle your holiday tasks. Think of it as your secret weapon for staying energized through the season.
6. Gift Yourself or a Loved One with Mobility
Consider giving (or asking for) a gift card for a FST session. It’s a meaningful way to encourage loved ones to prioritize their own health and movement in the new year.
The key to a joyful holiday season is balance—between activity and rest, excitement and calm. Staying active and mindful doesn’t require a big time commitment—it’s about weaving small, intentional moments into your day. This holiday season, take care of yourself by making movement a joyful part of your celebrations.
Until next time… ~ breathe ~ move ~ unwind ~
