Staying safe during the silly season

The festive season is well and truly upon us and for many of us it’s the most hectic time of the year. Longer days combined with food and gift shopping, lifting bags and bouts of backyard cricket –it’s no wonder our bodies become tired and exhausted. With these extra demands on us, and the fact we all want to enjoy the holidays, we need to look after ourselves and prevent any injuries.

Here are our tips to help you keep your body safe over the festive season:

1. Listen to your body. Navigating crowds and ticking off that long list of presents and food is exhausting, so make sure you rest frequently when shopping. Stop for a cuppa and hydrate while resting your legs and back at the same time. Make frequent trips to the car to offload bags and decrease the load on your shoulders. Wheels were invented for a reason – use a trolley for heavier or multiple items.
   
2. Focus on safe lifting. The last thing you want is to injure yourself when lifting the roast out of the oven or playing Santa. Stand as close to the load as possible, bend with your legs and keep your back in good alignment. Turn on your core and activate the abdomen. Use the power in your legs and never bend through the waist to lift.
   
3. Keep active. Take the stairs rather than the escalator and park a little further than usual to walk to the shops. And don’t forget to pack a few healthy snacks for those long shopping trips.
   
4. Look after the little ones. New bikes and scooters are great fun however safety first! Don’t forget helmets and long pants to protect from falls and crashes. Keep the kids active by minimising screen time and getting outdoors for a game of Frisbee, backyard cricket or ball skills.
   
5. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Immediate management of sprains and strains is crucial and can aid in decreasing the severity of the injury. Remember the basic principles of RICER - Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate and Refer to a health professional.

Christmas is a wonderful time to share with our loved ones so enjoy the season, spend time with those you love, look after each other, and stay safe and active.

We wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to looking after your wellness in 2019.