Your body and mind go into overdrive during the holidays. Plenty of fun and exciting things fill your time, but it’s all quite stressful as well. The go-go-go nature of the holidays can take its toll on your body, and your spine in particular. Keep your back and your whole body feeling healthy all season long with these nine tips to care for your spine.

Make Exercise a Priority

We all know that exercise is important for overall health, but it’s also vital for a healthy spine. Even as your schedule becomes hectic around the holidays, make exercise a priority. Focus on stretching and strengthening exercises that target the back, hamstrings, and abs. Water exercises are particularly useful if you have a spinal injury.

Go for a Walk

Walking benefits your entire body, including your spine. Expect to strengthen your core muscles, improve blood flow, toughen up your bones, and improve your flexibility. Just make sure you walk with good posture to enjoy the maximum benefits – and don’t forget to bundle up if it’s cold outside.

Meditate

While no single treatment is effective for everyone, mindful meditation is a good technique to try if you have chronic back pain. All you need for daily meditation is a dark, quiet room and 15 minutes of your time. You may find this technique to be incredibly relaxing, which also helps you manage holiday-related stress.

Improve Your Posture

Your spine naturally curves in certain places and your sitting position should support these curves or you could damage your spine. If you have an office job, invest in an ergonomic chair that cradles your back and provides maximum comfort. Also, take the time to walk around, stretch, and otherwise get your blood flowing every hour.

Soothe Backaches with Heat Therapy

Acute back pain responds well to heat therapy, which increases blood flow, delivers nutrients to the damaged area, and encourages faster healing. You have many options, including heating pads, warm gel packs, heat wraps, hot water bottles, and warm baths. Make sure the heat isn’t too intense and only apply it for 10 to 15 minutes at a time several times per day.

Change Your Diet

You may not realize it, but food plays a big role in spinal health. The best way to care for your spine through your diet is to eat primarily plant-based food. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes along with a small amount of lean meat are best. Foods high in calcium can also help combat osteoarthritis and osteoporosis that often affect the spine. Sticking to a diet during the holidays can be challenging, but keep your desire for spinal health in mind to help motivate you.

Pick the Right Pillow

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to help you tackle holiday planning with a level head. Find a pillow that matches your preferred sleep position to help you fall asleep quickly and wake up without a sore neck.

For instance, if you sleep on your side, you need a thick pillow to help align your neck with the middle of your shoulders. Your height and shoulder width also determine the type of pillow to buy. Opt for a larger pillow if you’re broad-shouldered or a slimmer one if you’re petite.

Quit Smoking

Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve to work on this resolution. Since smoking increases your chances of developing a degenerative spinal disease, the start of the holiday season is a great time to quit.

Schedule a Professional Massage and Chiropractic Adjustment

The holidays are often a time when you focus on making other people happy, but don’t forget to care for your spine with a professional massage or chiropractic adjustment if your back starts to bother you. These treatments improve blood circulation, restore your spinal range of motion, help combat insomnia, and increase your endorphin levels.

Visit Spine Correction Center this Holiday Season

We offer the massage therapy and chiropractic care you need to help keep your spine healthy this holiday season. Contact Spine Correction Center in Fort Collins at (970) 658-5115 to schedule your free consultation today!