The holiday season can be a very stressful time for many. While there is so much to be grateful for, it is easy to get wrapped up in everything and forget to take care of your health. Extra stress can be particularly challenging for people with chronic pain conditions like a migraine and fibromyalgia. Stress can make the pain worse. If you suffer from chronic pain, there are some easy ways to take charge of your health and feel good during the holiday season.

Exercise: Not only has exercise been shown to ease stress, it can speed the recovery time of many pain conditions and injuries such as sciatica, fibromyalgia, and whiplash. It has also been shown to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. Chait Chiropractic Center can help you find safe, effective ways to help you keep your energy level up.

Set your priorities: There can be a huge demand on your time and attention during the holidays. Don’t feel pressured to do it all. Take some time to think about which holiday activities mean the most to you, and focus on those.

Take time for yourself: With busy holiday schedules, people often forget to take breaks. Consider scheduling time for yourself to do something relaxing and enjoyable. Especially if the holidays are emotionally difficult of you, it’s important to take care of yourself and seek support when needed.

Shop till you drop: Overdoing it when you are shopping by carrying bags or boxes that are too heavy for you can cause shoulder or elbow pain. Standing in long lines on concrete flooring can cause back and/or knee pain. Be careful when shopping this holiday season to avoid injury, but know that Dr. Chait can put you back together so you don’t have to miss those great deals!

Be mindful of your nutrition: The holidays are full of food and drinking temptations. While it’s okay to indulge yourself in moderation, overeating or eating because of stress can make you feel worse in the end. Dr. Chait can advise you on healthy eating habits and nutrition.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Finally, chiropractic itself can help you manage your pain and stress level. In fact, a research study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11986575 in 2010 showed that chiropractic adjustments helped reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone known to cause inflammation and irritation.

Call Chait Chiropractic today at 941-371-1070 to schedule a complimentary posture analysis and consultation.This holiday season, remember you don’t need to suffer from pain and stress!