Stress Relief Tips to Reduce Pain and Injury This Holiday Season

Although songs celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year,” December can also bring the most stressful time of year. Schedules fill up with parties, shopping, and activities. To-do lists are longer than usual, budgets may be stretched, and holiday travel can add to your anxiety and pressure. For many people, stress can spell trouble, not only in terms of their blood pressure but also pain in their movement and daily functioning. How does some holiday anxiety lead to pain? What can you do to prevent or lessen it? Read on to find out!

How Does Stress Impact Pain or Injury?

Infrequent or occasional stress is normal and bound to happen, but regular stress can lead to several unpleasant and uncomfortable outcomes. First of all, stress tends to make your body tense, which means you are more prone to injury like back pain, neck strain, etc. Also, continued stress can have physiological effects on your body, causing you to experience headaches, stomach issues, and body pains. If you already have an injury, recovery may become harder to achieve because of stress.

What Are Ways to Relieve Stress?

You may not be able to prevent the cause of your stress, but you can address how it affects you before you experience discomfort.

Stretch and Stay Active

Even if you don’t feel your muscles getting tight, take a few minutes to stretch at least once per day. Try to exercise or move, whether you’re staying at home or traveling to family and friends. Exercise is a natural method of relieving stress, and stretching can keep you from straining and injuring yourself.

Take Deep Breaths or Meditate

You may feel yourself tense up if you run into problems or frustrations. A few calm, deep breaths can relax your muscles and ease your mind, helping you face your challenges with a clearer head as well as a nimbler body.

Eat Healthy Foods and Get Plenty of Quality Sleep

Although maintaining a healthy diet and sleep routine can be difficult during the holiday season, do your best! These habits are essential if you want to reduce stress. Nutrient-rich foods and quality sleep can put you in a happier mood and help you deal with stressful situations.

Laugh and Connect with Others

Part of what makes the holidays so special is spending time with those you love. Try to enjoy each other’s company as much as you can. Keep conversations light and play funny games together or connect in whatever way works best for you. These actions create happy memories and reduce stress hormones in your body, helping you prevent injury or pain.  

Visit Your Chiropractor

Whether you decide to visit before or after your holiday festivities, going to your chiropractor for an adjustment can address issues with your nervous system. Some stress is purely unavoidable, but with professional help, you can at least survive it with less physical pain.

The holidays can be stressful enough, so you don’t need to add back or neck pain to the equation. When you take these steps, you may not be completely anxiety free, but you can experience the season with less pain and discomfort and hopefully feel some magic along the way.

About the Author

Dr. Zinovy Chukhman is certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners in all four levels, which means he is proficient in many treatment methods. These techniques include Thompson, Gonstead, flexion-distraction, and more. He has more than two decades of experience treating injuries, but he encourages patients to actively prevent injuries through regular chiropractic care. If you would like to meet with Dr. Z, contact our Dallas office in Richardson online or call us at (972) 907-2800.