A Little Holiday Reminder

From Osteopath Gemma Ahrens

The holiday season is finally here! A time of year filled with sunshine, catch-ups, celebrations, family chaos, Christmas shopping,  and maybe one too many end-of-year parties. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and let’s be honest, it can also feel a bit overwhelming.

As an Osteopath, this is the time of year when we often see people running on fumes. Tired, stressed, dehydrated, and wondering why their back pain has suddenly flared, carrying all the Christmas shopping bags, or why their neck is sore after spending hours wrapping presents on the floor.

So here’s your gentle, lighthearted reminder to take care of yourself this holiday season. Rest, water, movement, and the occasional moment of peace are all going to help you to not just make it through the holiday season, but to enjoy it!

Tips to Take Care of Yourself This Holiday Season

1. Stay Hydrated

Summer has come in full swing this year and dehydration creeps up quickly.
Between the beach days, social events, and running around, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Your muscles, joints, and brain will thank you!

2. Be Mindful of Stress

The fun festive excitement can very quickly turn into overwhelm and stress.
Check in with yourself often and make sure you take some time each day to slow your breathing, unwind your shoulders, and unclench your jaw (yes, right now!).

3. Prioritise Some Actual Down Time

Add rest to your to-do-list! Your nervous system needs space to breathe, and a quiet 10 minutes on the couch or a slow morning coffee can do wonders. Rest isn’t laziness. It is essential maintenance. It’s also important to make sure we are getting enough quality sleep, so be mindful

4. Keep Your Body Moving

This time of year can easily throw your routines off.

Even small movements help:

A gentle walk

Some body weight strength exercises

A yoga session

Standing up between gift-wrapping marathons

Your body loves consistency, so little bits of movement go a long way.

5. Put Yourself First

If your body is starting to grumble, tighten, ache, or give you subtle “please help me” signs, we are here to support you. Sometimes a treatment is exactly what you need to reset and head into the new year feeling your best.

While this time of year can get crazy busy, make sure you are still prioritising yourself. You will be able to achieve much more and find more enjoyment in your holiday activities if you are moving better and in less pain.

A Reminder for Making Bookings

December gets very busy in the clinic, and appointments fill up quickly. If you think you’ll need a treatment heading into this wonderfully crazy time of year, book in as soon as you can to get a suitable time for you.

Wishing you a joyful, calm, sun-filled holiday season, and a body that moves and feels good through all of it!