The holiday season is upon us. For many, this means we are busier and more stressed than ever trying to get everything done. This year, try to make the season a less stressful and more enjoyable one.
The 12 Days of Mindfulness can help us keep a healthy perspective. It offers a friendly reminder for each day in order for us to continue feeling festive.
On the 1st day of mindfulness my Rolfer said to me…
1. Pause within your busy day and take a few moments to breathe. A deep inhale and exhale may be all you need.
2. When spending many hours at the computer searching for the perfect holiday gifts, evaluate your seated posture and give your spine a lift. Try to sit a little more upright with the top of your head lengthening toward the ceiling. Don’t crane your neck forward toward the screen. Your spine will thank you for adopting this healthy seated routine.
3. It is time to hang the lights outside. When balancing on the ladder and reaching high, keep your weight centered from head to toe so gravity will not be your foe.
4. Holiday card writing galore can leave our necks stiff and sore, take a moment to look around- left and right, up and down.
5. A winter storm blows in overnight. Shoveling can be a fright. Use this technique to keep your body safe – feet planted strongly apart, shovel held in front, lift from your legs, engage your core. This will help keep your back from getting sore.
6. Take a break at the end of the day to clear your mind with some childlike play. Sledding, snowshoeing or snowman making. The fresh air can be so rejuvenating.
7. Dragging out the heavy boxes of holiday decorations may cause great strain. Use proper body mechanics to avoid pain. Rather than bending at the waist to pull the box to you, squat to lift using your whole body strength. By doing this your muscles will happily keep their length.
8. Holiday baking has begun, and it’s tempting to taste each and every one. Treats are delicious, but keep balance in your diet by incorporating foods that are nutritious.
9. When wrapping presents on the floor, our posture can become quite poor. Simple stretching from time to time will help your body to unwind.
10. Last-minute shopping and dealing with crowds can tax the nervous system. Breathe, look around and find peace in the chaos of the day. Use this perspective to help stress stay away.
11. Your feet are tired with all that you have done. “Why is that?“ you ask yourself. Support, there could be none. Seek appropriate footwear with ample support that allow the arches of your feet to move and not contort.
12. ’Tis the season to volunteer. Local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and nursing homes, to name a few, will make you feel good when you are through. Be an active community member all year round. The sense of purpose and fulfillment can be quite profound.
Kelly Diamond is a Certified Rolfer, who specializes in an original method of bodywork called Rolfing Structural Integration. She is the founder and owner of her practice in Concord. Visit kellydiamondrolfer.com for more.
The Capital Area Wellness Coalition coordinates community resources and builds partnerships to create a culture of healthy living for everyone. The CAWC meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the Center for Health Promotion, 49 S. Main St. in Concord. Visit capwellness.org to learn more.
