5 Strategies for Managing Your Pain Over the Holidays

Holidays are an exciting time to reconnect with family and friends and even to enjoy your colleagues outside of the pressures of work. But holidays can also literally be a pain in the neck, or feet, or legs, as you rush around to shop and fulfill social obligations.

If you already suffer from chronic pain, the extra burden of event preparation, travel, and partying can trigger a pain flare-up. Pain can take you out of the holiday picture. 

At Alliance Spine & Pain Centers, our pain experts encourage you to plan ahead this holiday season. Although we offer pain relief at our various locations throughout Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding areas, we’d like to help you avoid an unexpected visit, if possible.

That’s why our gift to you is this brief guide to help you prepare for the holidays. We offer these five tips to help you manage stress and enjoy pain-free holidays.

1. Set a doable pace

Holidays are full of lists, from your kids’ wish lists for presents to various to-do lists for parties, travel, and visits. You may need to clean more, cook more, and shop more than ever. However, if you attempt to do it all, or do it all at once, the extra stress can run you down and tire you out. Being fatigued and becoming overwhelmed are both triggers for chronic pain.

Instead of rushing into chores and tasks and signing onto holiday committees, take a breath and step back. Can you really add this activity or task to all of those you already have to do? If not, say “no.” 

Aim for no more than one extra item per day. And really do make a list: Checking off to-do lists, one task at a time can give a nice boost and rush of adrenaline. 

2. Prioritize self-care  

Parties and holiday meals come with built-in temptations that can derail your fitness and health goals. All of the extra and extra-delectable food, alcoholic beverages, and parties that extend into the wee hours can take their toll on your body.

Not getting enough sleep and exercise, though, is  a perfect formula for triggering pain. Protect yourself and your health:

• Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night
• Stay hydrated, particularly if you’re drinking alcohol
• Stop eating before you’re full
• Eat protein and vegetables before turning to pies and cakes
• Limit or avoid alcohol  
• Exercise regularly
• Wash your hands frequently

And when the holidays are over, continue these good habits for life to maintain your health.

3. Delegate

Santa doesn’t build all of the toys; he has the elves do it. The shammash doesn’t provide all of the light on a Hanukkah menorah; it has eight other candles to illuminate a space. Even the Old Year passes his scythe to the New Year. 

Just as you delegate tasks at work, or in your own household, carry on that important tradition during the holidays. Your friends and family celebrate the holidays with you to enjoy your company – not just the amazing parties you throw or the perfect gifts you’ve found. Sharing the load provides another opportunity to interact with and enjoy your guests so your pain remains in the background.

4. Commit to your routine

Pain management requires commitment. Make sure you pack your medications when traveling, and place refill orders in time before a long trip. No matter what other stresses and obligations pop up during your busy days, take your prescription meds at the same time each day.

Try to keep to the same bed time and rise time, day in and out. Having a sense of order and routine helps calm your nervous system, even while constant outside stimulation threatens to overwhelm it.

You might benefit by setting alarms for your most important routines, such as bed time, exercise, and time to take your medications. Talk to your pain expert to schedule any pain management sessions you might need to keep your symptoms under control.

5. Enjoy the ride

With all of the extra stress and work, it can be easy to forget that holidays are supposed to be fun. Be sure to make time to do things you enjoy, even if they deviate from the normal holiday schedule. 

Take time to center yourself, be in the moment, and feel gratitude that another holiday season is here. Good strategies for managing pain that you develop during the holidays can become habits that help sustain you — and your potential resolutions — throughout the coming new year.

And if these preparatory steps aren’t sufficient, contact Alliance Spine & Pain Centers by phone or online form for pain relief today. We have offices in Augusta, Austell, Brookhaven, Camp Creek, Piedmont/Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Conyers, Covington, Dallas, Douglasville, Jasper, Johns Creek, Suwanne, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Peachtree City, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.