Chiropractor offers tips to relieve holiday stress

For many people, the holidays are an exciting time of year, filled with friends, family, great food, and thoughtful gifts. However, there is no denying that with all that fun comes a whole lot of stress.There are ways to prevent anxiety, or at least reduce it, said Dr. Ellen Blomerth of Blomerth Chiropractic in Peabody. According to Blomerth, when your body?s not overreacting to things, you can handle what you need to (shopping, cooking, visiting) without feeling anxious or irritated.?It?s the little things, like making sure you have plenty of water and making sure you eat regularly,” she said. “We get dehydrated easier with the cooler temps and people don?t realize it?When you?re dehydrated, your body gets tense and cramps.”So before you hit the mall or rush over to the in-laws, take the proper precautions to make you?re trip all that much easier on yourself mentally and physically.The Massachusetts Chiropractic Society is urging all to listen to their bodies this season and not become overwhelmed.?Even in tough economic times it?s important for people to stay healthy,” said Dr. Joseph Kornfeld, the society?s vice president. “This holiday season might be tough for some, but ignoring their health can make it worse.”Both Kornfeld and Blomerth shared a few helpful tips to help people enjoy the holidays, not stress over them.For starters, Blomerth said it?s important to balance your time effectively, which means leaving enough room to work, rest, and have social time.?You need to know when to say ?no? to doing too much,” she said. “Focus on trying to do what you can, don?t worry about what you can?t.”When it comes time to do some serious shopping, treat it as an athletic event. Stretch before and afterward, wear comfortable clothing and supportive footwear, stay hydrated (8 ounces of water each day), eat healthier and lighter foods, and plan frequent breaks to ward of fatigue.?And, stay warm,” said Blomerth, explaining that dressing in layers is your best bet. “A lot of people this time of year think, ?oh, I?m just running out to the car,? but if your muscles get chill, they can set up trigger points.”Blomerth also said to lighten the load whenever possible, which means, ladies, leave your heavy pocketbooks in the car.?Use a fanny pack or put your money and credit cards in your pocket,” she said. “If you have to carry a purse, put the strap across your body to balance the weight so you?re not hurting one shoulder.”As for those bulky bags full of presents, carrying them in both hands to again, distribute the load. Blomerth also recommends dropping off bags into your car as you shop.Leaving the kids at home can be a great way to reduce stress, too.Once you?ve tackled the mall and all of its holiday bargains, the fun really starts with wrapping everything into nicely packaged gifts. Your first instinct might be to plop down on the living room floor with scotch tape and scissors in hand, but Blomerth highly suggests an alternative.?No bending over a bed or wrapping presents on the floor,” she said. “Use a countertop or a table. An ironing board works great because you can set it to the right height to do your wrapping and not have you back hurt.”If you do get injured in the holiday rush, try the following at-home quick fixes:*For an area that?s swollen or hot (inflamed), apply some ice wrapped in a cool facecloth.*If you?re stiff and achy from overuse of a muscle, apply a microwavable hot pack or take a warm bath with Epsom salt.*For headaches, lay down on your back with a rolled up towel under your neck. That should ease muscle tension.Blomerth also suggests taking time to meditate, pray, or listen to soft music.Try not to forget what the holiday season is really all about: spending time with those you love and creating moments that will last a lifetime. Stress will just get in the way.