Our Tips to keep you feeling your best this Christmas
It is the most wonderful time of the year! But with so much to do we know too well it can also be the most stressful time of year
That is why it’s so important to make the time to stay active and to remember to look after ourselves.
We would like to help you and have put together some top tips, a few exercises and some advice to keep you feeling your best throughout the festive season.
- Movement is medicine stay active!
The Christmas holidays are a time to relax and unwind for many of us which means taking a break from our regular exercise routine whilst it is important to have a rest movement is the key for keeping our bodies free from aches and pains and to stay well over this festive holiday. It may be chilly outside and it’s all too tempting to hibernate indoors when it’s cold and dark, but a bit of movement can do wonders for you both physically and mentally. It is important to adjust your exercise regime rather than not doing anything it could be that you may maybe wake up earlier do some simple stretches or exercise before your busy day starts. Alternatively, if you are at home, you may fancy taking up something new something different?
YouTube is a good resource have a look you may want to try some yoga or some Tai chi. You can look up physiotherapy stretches or a simple as a 30-minute total body workout. Take as much natural exercise as you can during your day take a walk, use the stairs, stand up when you are taking a phone call it can be all too tempting to do nothing through the festive. You may want to take a brisk walk, walk down your street have a look at your neighbours Christmas lights. By adjusting your routine and carrying out some exercise you will stay active feel energetic and feel your best.
- Keep aches and pains caused by the cold at bay.
As well as keeping active there is no doubt when the winter has arrived this can make muscles tense and joints sore leading to aches and pains. Aches and pains are particularly common around the neck and shoulders at this time of year to help with this don’t forget a scarf when you leave the house where multiple layers. At the end of the day if you do feel achy around your neck use a hot water bottle or a wheat bag around your neck or shoulders you could also incorporate some gentle neck stretches into your bedtime routine.
Christmas tasks such as the wrapping of presents are so often done sitting on the floor or leaning forwards. Put the presents on a table and work at waist level ensuring that your arms aren’t reaching too far forwards, and you maintain good posture. During the festive season there are all kinds of lifting often we do this without even thinking whether it’s lifting a box up off the floor trying to put lights on our Christmas tree or putting up the Christmas decorations, lifting heavy s shopping bags or even picking up our turkeys. When the grandchildren arrive, it is all too tempting as well to pick them up.
A few helpful tips are to try and stand close to what you’re lifting this will put less pressure on your lower back try and bend your knees as if squatting keeping your back straight. Use your big power muscles in your legs to stand up, always avoid twisting and turning. If a parcel or present looks like it might be heavy test it first push it with your foot check if it’s not too heavy before you attempt to lift it.
- Embrace the spirit of slowing down
Winter naturally invites us to slow down with shorter days and those longer nights nature itself tells us it’s time to rest and recharge. Often in December it can be a lot of activity but try and schedule time to sit down sit down. It maybe with your family or a friend, have a read of a book or sit with some comforting tea, spend 30 minutes doing something calm it may even be practising mindfulness.
- Nourish your body with seasonal goodness
Christmas is a time for indulging and that’s all the fun of it and there’s no need to deny yourself. The key is to balance what you eat. Seasonal favourites such as Brussels sprouts and clementines, chestnuts are all packed with vitamins and nutrients to keep us healthy during the winter months. Do make time for some wholesome food alongside your festive treats, if you are prone to snacking try and put some bowls of nuts or some clementines in the different rooms.
- Seeing loved ones in the holiday
This can bring a mixture of joy seeing family members but also stress if you’re feeling like there is too much going on, too many social obligations do say. If you feel you need to have time to self-care, be honest about your limits if you’re feeling very stretched it’s a perfectly normal to decline an invitation your family will understand.
- The gift of good sleep
Sleep can often take a back seat during the festive holidays it might be a late-night film, late night meal with family. It is important to maintain your health and your mood sometimes late nights with rich food and lots of stimulation can affect your sleep try to stick to a consistent bedtime as much as possible. Create a calming bedtime routine limiting screen time before bed instead opt for a book and a glass of herbal tea rather than extra mulled wine!
- Your mental health
The festive break can raise a range of emotions, it might be the first time that you’re on your own, it can feel lonely or overwhelming check in with yourself regularly how are you feeling? is there someone you can talk to if you’re feeling stressed or low ?reach out to either a trusted friends family member or even a professional for some support. Try not to think about what is stressful instead focus on what is joyful it might be about the lights it could be about the different smell at Christmas.
The festive season in December is a time for enjoyment and celebration by listening to your body making small adaptations in your home and activities, keeping up with activity and gentle movement you can ensure your festive season is not only merry but also safe and comfortable. We wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.
