With the holiday season here, the temptation to skip your healthy routines can be easy. We aren’t saying a few days of celebration isn’t going to ruin the foundation that you’ve worked so hard to build – but that doesn’t mean you have to let a few busy weeks undo the progress you’ve made in your health and fitness this year.
This season should be fun and healthy! Balance is the key. Here are a few simple tips to keep yourself and your physical therapy routine in balance during the holiday season.
Bring Your Ball, Roller or Resistance Bands
If you are traveling, don’t leave your routine behind. A lacrosse or Hyperice ball easily packs away in your luggage so you can get a quick roll anywhere. If your muscles are feeling tight and stiff, that’s a good indicator that you need a reset. Even if you’re not sore, it’s great to reset with a ball every single day, both when you wake up and at the end of the day. Rolling first thing in the morning is a great way to reset your muscles and get good blood flow to those areas worked on. It can be a great part of your evening routine as you wind down from the day.
Stick to Your Daily Routine
The best thing you can do during the holiday season is to stick to your daily routine as closely as you can. If you’re used to starting your day with movement, remember that an outdoor walk or active stretching is a great way to keep yourself on track with your routine – especially if you’re traveling. Sleep can also be the biggest piece of your routine; consistent sleep habits can help create a fundamental routine for your body to follow every day.
Adapt Your Training and Share the Joy
You can take some time off during the holiday break, but you want to avoid falling into bad habits and becoming too sedentary. If you’re traveling or away from your normal activities, you may have to get creative to get your workouts in. Even just one band or checking out our YouTube Channel can give you everything you need. If you’re feeling unmotivated to do your physical therapy or reset, grab a family member and go for a walk or share your stretching and rolling sequences. Maybe you can all have a ball and feel better together!
Take Time for Relaxation & Reset
Use the time this season to manage your stress. It won’t always be easy to make time for your routines to ensure that you are getting your physical therapy and reset in. Take a step back from the pressures of the season, breathe deeply, and reset on the meaning you’d like the holidays to have for yourself. Visit our YouTube channel to help you navigate the holiday season while staying healthy and preventing injury. A few days with holiday celebrations won’t ruin a whole year of hard work.
Happy Holidays from all of us at AAPT!