Christmas time, mistletoe and wine ā¦ And Christmas shopping.
The festive period is underway, and that means one thing: itās time to hit the shopping aisles.
While most High Street shops try their best to make Christmas shopping fun and exciting with their perfectly decorated trees and twinkling fairy lights, the reality is that it can be a back-aching chore. And if you already suffer from aches andĀ pains, it can be an incredibly testing time.
So what can you do, apart from cancel Christmas?
1. Have a Plan
Planning is without doubt, the most important strategy. This will minimise the amount of time spent sitting with a laptop or ipad online shopping and lessen the miles walking up and down the High Street.
Make a list. Who are you buying for? What are you going to get them? Much as you may not like it, a lot of this youāll be able to get online. Job done. And the rest? Off to the High Street with you but is there an obvious route thatāll minimise the mileage and stress.
2.Ā Take regular breaks
Shops are busy during the lead up to Christmas. Endless queues, long waits and a lot of standing (and walking) around deciding on what to buy. All of this means extra time on your feet and a lot of time standing in one spot.
We recommendĀ that you take regular breaks to relax. Grab a drink, unwind and watch everyone else buzzing around while you give your back a much-deserved break.
3. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Obvious but wear properly fitting shoes which have strong support and adequate cushioning. Trainers will make your day a lot more comfortable.
4. Avoid long queues if possible
Your spine thrives on movement, but it doesnāt do well standing in one place for long periods of time. A lack of movement can lead to your back muscles becoming tightened and stiff which can cause or worsen back pain. If you are like most people, you may also find yourself arching your back as to try to lessen the discomfort you feel form standing around. This can further aggravate your muscles.
A good idea is to take a shopping buddy with you. That way, you can take it in turns to stand in long queues. Your back will thank you for it.
5.Ā Stretch when you arrive home
Completing a Christmas shopping stint can be a big relief, but before you slump yourself down on the sofa, treat your back to some gentle stretches. A little bit of stretching when you arrive home will help with those aches or stiffness and will get some good movement back into your muscles.
6.Ā Drink Plenty of Water
Keeping yourself hydrated while youāre Christmas shopping will reduce the risk of inflammation and back pain. WeĀ recommendĀ carrying a bottle of water around with you as you shop so that you can keep taking sips on a regular basis. And it might be best to avoid those big old flavoured festive coffees – perhapsĀ go for a warming chai tea instead!
7.Ā Use a Trolley
If there are trolleys available, use them. Pushing a trolley instead of carrying a basket will reduce the load on your spine and minimise the risk of back pain. If there are no trolleys available, our chiropractor recommends that you distribute your shopping load evenly across both sides of your body. Doing this will help to reduce pressure on your spine.
8.Ā Spread out your Christmas Shopping Trips
Doing your Christmas shopping in stages means you donāt have to walk miles or carry lots of heavy bags at once. Itās also a good idea to try to find a parking space thatās close to the shops or arrange a lift if you can.
9.Ā Be Careful when Shopping Online
It can be tempting to do all your Christmas shopping online in an attempt to avoid the hustle bustle of the High Street. But this can be just as harmful on your spine. Sitting hunched over a laptop for long periods of time is one of the worst things you can do for your spine. If online shopping is on your āto-doā list, make sure you sit up straight and take regular breaks.
We hope these helpful tips will help minimise the risk of back pain during your Christmas shopping this year. Remember that Christmas is just as much about you as anyone else, so itās important to keep yourself healthy.
If you are suffering from any aches and pains, instructions and links on how to book in with Bodyfixit are following on below…
M A S S A G E
Booking is open for December and January
Massage sessions whether at home or at venue have a 24hrs cancellation policy and must be paid for in advance by at least 48 hrs.Ā If you need to pay for your sessions, please use the following secure payment links:
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