The holidays are right around the corner. Whether it’s planning a safe family gathering or last minute holiday shopping, the holidays add extra responsibilities and stress to your already busy schedule. Add in increased time with family members or worries about COVID-19, and you’re most likely feeling more stressed than usual.
Stress and pain unfortunately go hand-in-hand for chronic pain sufferers. As stress can exacerbate chronic pain, you may be feeling it more than usual this time of year, with no time to slow down. There may not be a way to totally eliminate stress or pain from your life, but you can take steps to manage it. Here are Redefine Healthcare’s best tips to limit stress-related pain.
Eat Well & Stay Hydrated
While we would never ask you to pass on your sister’s delicious homemade apple pie, you should be conscious of the extra sugar, carbs, and gluten you may be consuming at holiday meals. Enjoy good food and good company, but don’t go overboard; poor nutrition isn’t doing anything for your body, and not to mention, extra weight can put extra strain on your joints.
*Dehydration can also affect bones and joints, resulting in stiffness and soreness. Be sure to drink plenty of water!
Exercise
Exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re stressed or in pain, but getting some movement in, even something as simple as a walk, can make you feel better. Exercise can both boost your mood and ease some of your pain. “Motion is lotion,” and making a conscious effort to add movement into your day can provide some relief to stiff joints.
Take Time To Rest
When you’re allocating your time and planning out activities, make sure to set aside some for yourself. First and foremost, make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Not only can lack of sleep make your stress worse, it can make pain worse, too. Your body needs rest to repair itself, and if you aren’t getting enough, you’re doing a disservice to yourself.
Get Help!
If you’re in pain, you should see a specialist. There are a ton of simple, non-surgical options available for pain management. At Redefine Healthcare, we offer chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, and interventional treatments like corticosteroid injections, nerve blocks, and more. Schedule a consultation with one of our pain management doctors by calling (732) 906-9600 or at https://redefinehealthcare.com/