Don't Add "Stress" to Your Christmas List This Year

By Nazleen Reed, Ultimate Performance Lifestyle Ltd

Christmas is a joyful time of year but can also be stressful! Therefore we need to ensure we enjoy Christmas and not make ourselves ill. Stress and emotion is one of the common causes for lower back pain and certainly is not something you want to add to your Christmas list!

Naz from Ultimate Performance Lifestyle has these 5 Top Tips to help you stay fit and healthy with a pain free back for the festive holiday:

Exercise

Go for a 30 minute walk, cycle, fitness class. This is great help to lower stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and improves sleep and self-image.

Connect with a friend

This gives us a good support network where we can talk about our troubles. Activities with friends help us to relax.

Me time

In the UK we work the longest hours in Europe and have little time for ourselves. NHS guidelines recommend 2 nights a week; this could be a relaxed class (Pilates/Yoga), walk, catch up with friends or a massage.

Try wrapping your presents on an ironing board. This prevents bad posture and stops those achy backs.

Back exercises

Stretches and strength exercises for your back daily will help your back stay strong and flexible. We like to say “10 minutes a day keeps a bad back away”.

Make a list

Plan your weeks with a to-do list but concentrate and prioritise your tasks. Leave the least important tasks to last and accept your in-tray will always be full.