Stay Healthy During the Holidays!

The end of the year is already here, but that doesn't mean you need to be lax about your health and wellness. Take this time to celebrate your health just as much as you would celebrate any of your favorite holidays! 
 
Happy December! We hope you had a wonderful fall and have settled into a wonderful holiday season. There is so much to look forward to this time of year. But with the extra addition of stress during the holiday, it's so easy to get sick or throw your body out of whack to the point where you're in constant pain. Those few tweaks and points of pain can put a damper on all of your holiday plans. It's so easy for that holiday stress to turn into physical pain. Stress, worry, being very busy, poor diet, and not enough rest can place a lot of instant pain and damage on your back and well being during the holidays. While you are picking out the next holiday movie, making your holiday plans, or starting to travel home for the holidays, keep these tips in mind. 
 
Never let your health and wellness be the last thing you pay attention to this holiday season. Spread your holiday cheer down to your toes, and your body will thank you for it! 
 

• Try and stay active! Keep to your workouts and don't let the holidays be your excuse to hibernate on the couch. Get up and get moving! For those of you who regularly exercise, be mindful of the change in weather, your diet, and your sleep schedule. Adjust accordingly so you don't harm yourself during your workouts and continue to fuel yourself properly. For those of you who aren't accustomed to too much exercise, make sure you talk with your chiropractor and physician about what kind of activity is best for you this time of year. 
• It can get cold here in the Lowcountry, and those lower temperatures can wreak havoc on your body. You can easily strain or hurt some of your most important muscles when not properly kept warm. During outdoor decorating, activity, or workout, it's very easy to hurt these muscles without even realizing it. Dress properly; layers are the best to keep your temperature comfortable and still be functional. Always warm up your muscles before any kind of workout or strenuous activity outdoors. 
• The holiday season is here, which is so exciting. You might be spending long hours in the car traveling, putting up decorations, or helping with some extra heavy lifting around the house. During this busy time practice proper lifting, bending, and twisting techniques. When driving long distances, make sure you stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to stretch and keep your blood flowing. Investing in a lumbar pillow can also help maintain a healthy back during long road trips. 
• Take advantage of this time of year and remember to rest and relax. Take your health and wellness to the next level during this joyous time. Make sure to get plenty of sleep and relax with your loved ones. It will do both your body and peace of mind good to make time to rest. Your body will have time to heal, it will be able to protect itself better from the cold and flu season, and be more resilient to wear and tear. 
• It is so tempting this time of year to indulge in your favorite food and drink. Sugary, processed, and carb-heavy foods can put a lot of stress and strain on every part of the body. These foods can leave your body vulnerable to injury, inflammation, and bloating. If you do partake in holiday drinking, drink responsibly and stay hydrated. As much as you can, stick to your healthy diet and eat your favorite treats in moderation. 

 
Your health and wellness need to be celebrated and cared for as much as any holiday tradition. It is worth taking the time to invest in, care for, and protect. You only get one body, so we encourage you to take these tips to heart. We are so excited to see you in the new year, and can't wait to start a positive and healthy trip around the sun with you. From all of us at Wellness Plus, stay happy and well this holiday season!