A Simple Holiday Wellness Guide for a Stress-Heavy Season

While the holidays can bring lots of fun and quality time with loved ones, they can also be challenging to our health! From late nights, to indulgences with food and drink, to being out of our normal routines, we can be left not feeling our best. Here are the top tips from our osteopathic manual practitioners on how to stay well and grounded this holiday season.

Tip #1: Stay Hydrated Through the Holiday Hustle

Between drier weather, heat on full blast and maybe an alcoholic drink or two, it can be hard to stay hydrated this time of year. It’s easy to forget about fluid intake when rushing around during the holidays, but adequate hydration can make a big difference to your energy levels and overall wellness. Drinking lots of water aids in digestion, which we all could use with heavier meals on the horizon this season. Additionally, keeping up with fluids helps prevent urinary tract infections & headaches, and is important for the health and proper functioning of your fascia- a flexible network of connective tissue that lies under your skin and is connected to the muscles in your body. Keeping fascia hydrated means less stiffness and more ease of mobility. Water also helps keep mucous membranes moist, which can aid in prevention of viruses. 

If water is not your thing, try adding a squeeze of citrus or some slices of cucumber, and keep a large water bottle with you to remind yourself to take sips throughout the day. It can also be beneficial to have a glass first thing in the morning before coffee or tea.

Tip #2: Move Your Body During the Holidays

The temptation to hibernate as the weather turns cold and holiday movie marathons beckon is strong. Taking breaks from sitting throughout the day is key to avoiding aches and pains. Even short periods of movement will help maintain muscle mass, improve circulation and keep you feeling energized. Circulation is especially important; we want to keep lymphatic fluid moving, which can prevent illness from setting in, or, if you’ve been sick, prevent the bug from lingering and turning into something more serious. 

We love easily-accessible movement choices like taking a walk to look at neighbourhood lights, or doing a few minutes of stretching first thing in the morning and throughout the day after sitting. Swimming or aquafit can be a nice option as well when the weather is inclement.

Engaging in an activity you enjoy that gets your whole body moving is key, and much more effective than forcing yourself to do something that doesn’t bring you joy. If you find you’re having trouble with movement, either because of pain, reduced range of motion, or issues with balance, an osteopathic assessment can help get you back on track and participating in the activities you love.

Tip #3: Check In With Yourself as the Holiday Season Unfolds

The holidays can bring a mountain of items to add to your to-do list, and extra energy spent socializing and celebrating. It can be easy to “push through” and forget to tune in to what your body may be telling you. This can lead to extra aches and pains, stress and fatigue, or even illness. It just takes a brief quiet moment to reconnect and listen to your body’s messages. Even 3 slow deep breaths can re-set your nervous system and give you clarity in a whirlwind day. Try extending your exhale and feel your ribs expanding and releasing with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice where you’re tensing - shoulders, jaw and belly are common problem areas.

Consciously let these areas soften, and feel the skin of your forehead smooth out and relax. Connecting with nature can also be a powerful tool in regaining a feeling of peace; even a few minutes outside with the sun on your face or watching the snow fall can make a big difference in your day. Give your eyes a break from screens by looking as far as you can out to the horizon. Notice the temperature of the air on your skin, the colours around you, and the sounds near and far.

On nights when you have no plans, start winding down early; take a warm bath, enjoy some herbal tea, or start a new book, and then head to bed early. Extra rest is the name of the game when possible.

If you feel stress and tension getting the best of you, we are here to help!

We hope these tips help you navigate the busy festive season with comfort and ease. We have availability for new and returning patients this month, should you need a tune-up, including during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.

From all of us at Body Mechanik, we wish you a safe, happy and healthy holiday!