Well the frantic festive fury is now in full swing. At this time of year we expect a lot from our bodies. The pressure of ticking off gift lists, navigating crowded shops, and managing endless to-do lists can also put your body under added pressure. Amid all the stress, it’s important to remember to be kind to your spine to ensure that you have a pain free Christmas that you can enjoy .
Our Guide to Christmas Shopping
Out and About
If you’re heading out to shop—perhaps to one of the fabulous New Forest Christmas markets like the one in Winchester, shopping locally around Lymington, Lyndhurst or the smaller villages—consider a few spine-friendly tips before you go:
- Footwear Matters: Podiatrist Paul recommends choosing trainers with laces for a stable base and broad ground contact. This is especially helpful in slippery conditions and when carrying a load of presents.
- Balance Your Load: Distribute the weight of shopping bags evenly between both arms. Alternatively, plan your shopping in smaller, manageable trips rather than tackling one big spree.
- Bring a Helper: Shopping with a friend or family member not only shares the load but also makes the experience more festive. Just be prepared to treat them to a coffee and mince pie as a thank you – we suggest popping in to see Christian and his team at Maison, just across the courtyard from the clinic or maybe even Stanwell House for an extra special Christmas treat!
- Delivery for Bulky Items: For large, heavy, or awkwardly shaped gifts, avoid the “To me! To you!” juggling act and consider having them delivered. Our friends at The Solent Cellar are always happy to deliver your Christmas drinks essentials.
Online Shopping
Can’t face the crowds or short on time? Shopping online from the comfort of home is a great alternative, but it’s important to stay mindful of your posture:
- Take Breaks to avoid spending hours hunched over a laptop while hunting for the perfect gifts.
- Mind Your Posture: Whether using a laptop, phone, or tablet, pay attention to your positioning. Keep your screen at eye level, sit upright, and avoid slouching. For more tips, check out our blog post Exam Stress and Office Syndrome for advice that applies equally well during Christmas.
Christmas Wrapping the Chiropractic Way
With the shopping bags finally unpacked and most homes now twinkling with festive cheer, it’s time to turn your attention to wrapping presents before the big food shop and meal preparations take over.
Present wrapping is often a repetitive activity and can be stressful, especially if you’re trying to do it away from prying eyes! Your body, however, will thank you if you plan how and when.
The British Chiropractic Association has this to say:
“Repetitive activities such as wrapping lots of presents in a single sitting can put a lot of pressure on your body. To prevent this, take regular breaks and/or spread your wrapping across multiple sittings. Another good idea is to wrap your presents at different heights. For example, on the floor, sat at the table, or even standing over an ironing board . . . it’s the perfect adjustable height.”
We love the ironing board idea, although a few of us may be using an adjustable chiropractic bench. Ho, Ho, Ho!
A few more tips from us:
- Wrapping is much easier (and more fun) when you have some help, especially for large and awkwardly shaped pressies. Someone to hold down the paper so you don’t have to become a contortionist when reaching for the tape and to keep you supplied with hot beverages—perhaps a little mulled wine or even something stronger—definitely enhances the festive moment.
- Selecting a good pair of scissors for the job can also prevent unnecessary strain to your hands. Avoid the tiny (and especially the plastic) scissors often given to children. Equally, avoid overlarge scissors that can be heavy and cumbersome to use. A strong pair of paper scissors with stainless steel or titanium blades, or even kitchen scissors, are ideal for the job. And, if you’re left-handed, special left-handed scissors make a huge difference to the ease with which you can glide through your wrapping paper.
- Using a tape dispenser not only alleviates the stress of continually losing the end but will cause less strain to your hands than continually scraping for the end of the tape and peeling it back.
So, unless your purchases are ready-wrapped – we’re thinking about the beautifully wrapped books from The Imaginarium, making use of the gift wrapping service at Elliotts of Lymington or a bespoke hamper from the The New Forest Hamper Company in Sway which certainly won’t need wrapping – or you may have magical folk to help, get wrapping the chiropractic way and stop repetitive strain from spoiling your Christmas.
Even better give your loved ones the gift of health this Christmas with a Lymington Chiropractic Clinic Gift Voucher!
When Things Go Wrong…
Despite your best efforts, festive stress can sometimes result in aches and pains. If you pull an early “Christmas Cracker” or experience musculoskeletal discomfort, our expert team is here to help.
BOOK ONLINE or call 01590 679560 for appointments with Chiropractors Ian, Abbi or Fiona, Sports Therapist Gareth or Massage Therapist Hannah.
For Acupuncture appointments, call Amanda directly on 07876 343 821.
For Counselling and Psychotherapy appointments, email Anna directly at ann@annashearscounselling.com.
For Podiatry appointments, call Paul directly at 07857 137732.
Stay safe, shop smart, and let’s make this Christmas a season of joy and health! Share this blog with friends and family to spread the word about our spine care wisdom and some festive cheer!