Give Yourself the Gift of Wellness! Here's Why (Plus, How to Get Started)
The holidays are here! There’s so much to love about this season—the cozy ambience, the time spent with friends and family, the holiday decor, the gifts, and so much more. Of course, all these great things only make the holidays fun if you’re able to enjoy them to the fullest!
When we have physical wellness, everything in life feels great. Over time however, we can get used to feeling less than great—more stiff, immobile, or even in pain. These can make us forget how good we used to feel.
If this sounds like you, we’re here to help. You don’t have to endure chronic pain or limited movement over the holidays. It just takes the first step: give yourself the gift of wellness.
Feeling Great Over the Holidays and Year-round
For many of us, the holidays are a time for rest and relaxation. We spend the chilly winter days curled up at home, indulge in delicious dinners and delectable desserts, and generally give ourselves some much-needed time off. Of course, we love all that as much as the next person. At the same time, we should be looking for ways to keep ourselves well throughout the holidays and year-round, rather than leaving it all for New Year’s resolutions.
When you think about it, wellness is the perfect gift to give yourself this holiday season. It’s as inexpensive as you want, it improves your mind and body, and it will benefit you for a lifetime. The definition of wellness can also apply to just about anything, whether you’re starting to feel the effects of poor posture, are slowly recovering from an injury, or simply want to improve your overall fitness and performance.
In the past, we’ve discussed strategies to help you set and reach wellness goals, and we want to expand on that to look at wellness as the gift it can truly be. There are a number of ways to start embracing your wellness and giving yourself the gift of health and well-being you deserve this holiday season. Here are seven suggestions to help get you started!
1. Find Exercise You Like to Do
If you can find a form of exercise that you actually enjoy, it’ll be one of the best things you’ll ever do yourself. Regular exercise has so many benefits, some more obvious than others. These include:
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Improving general stamina and endurance
Weight control
Extending your lifespan
Boosting mental clarity and focus
Aiding in mental health concerns like depression or anxiety
Improved blood sugar management
Help with managing chronic health conditions
Improved sleep
And much more
Keep in mind it might take some time to find something you love enough to keep doing. For some, it’s all about lifting weights at the gym. Others love the natural high they get from a great run. Some might look forward to the winter all year to hit the slopes on skis or a snowboard. Or, maybe you love an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee with friends. Whatever it is, decide on something (or even a few things) you’re willing to do around three times a week for the best possible benefits.
2. Be Mindful of Your Posture
Stop reading this for a minute and take note of your posture. Is your spine in alignment, i.e. forming a straight line from your hips to your neck? Or are you folded over, with the weight of your head straining your neck? How about your shoulders? Are they relaxed, or are they hunched up and strained?
You might be surprised at the impact your posture can have on your overall wellness. Poor posture can lead to back pain, hip pain, headaches, neck tension, poor digestion, fatigue, limited circulation, and even shortness of breath—that’s a lot of poor effects from something so simple!
Improving your posture can be a tough habit to form if you don't know how. We suggest checking in with yourself every 20 or 30 minutes to see where your body is sitting and making adjustments as needed, and straightening out the parts of your body that are scrunched up or curved. Over time, good, aligned posture will become second nature.
3. Stretch Daily
Our bodies love to stretch, but in the winter, it’s easy to go for hours without moving much. This can lead to muscles and tendons becoming tight, tense, or weakened, which can cause pain and limited mobility, and can even make you more susceptible to injury. If you can incorporate even five minutes of daily stretching into your routine, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Stretching helps your muscles perform better, improve blood flow, extend your range of motion, and greatly reduce pain and stiffness.
4. Focus On Sleep
Think of sleep as the glue that holds all the other pieces of the wellness puzzle together. When we prioritize quality sleep and make sure we’re getting enough of it, our bodies have the chance to recharge and recover. This makes it much easier to heal from an injury, overcome chronic pain, and get the energy we need for everything else. A consistent sleep schedule will also do wonders for your mental energy, focus, and mood, making it even easier to attain your wellness goals across the board.
5. Keep Track of Your Progress
Wellness is, unfortunately, not an overnight process. With time, patience, and a commitment to tracking your progress, you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come!
No matter what your wellness goals are for the new year, we recommend finding ways to keep track of them over time. If you’re trying to get into running, tools like the Strava app or a Fitbit device can be great for seeing your improvement over time. If you’re looking to get better sleep in 2025, you can use the Health app that’s already on your phone to track patterns.
Whatever you’re looking to improve, keeping an eye on the headway you make will motivate you, reminding you that you’re on the right track.
6. Celebrate as You Go
One thing we like to remind our clients of is the importance of celebrating the little milestones and the big ones! If your wellness goal for the year is to exercise three times a week, you should still pat yourself on the back when you manage twice a week. By taking a moment to congratulate yourself on even the smaller improvements, you’ll motivate yourself to do even better, getting you ever closer towards the wellness you deserve.
7. Start a Physio Routine
If there’s an injury or chronic condition that’s standing in between you and the gift of wellness, it might be time to get a little help from the professionals. Physiotherapy is a phenomenal way to start making real strides towards wellness, and it works just as well for treating issues as it does for preventing them.
Physio has the power to transform your health—it can be the much-needed answer to a specific concern, such as an injured shoulder or ongoing back pain, or simply a way to improve your health, prevent injuries, and feel your best again. If you’re ready to embrace your wellness and enjoy the holidays (and beyond) to the fullest, a physiotherapy consultation is a great place to start.
Contact us today when you’re ready to triumphantly reach your goals!
Disclaimer: This BLOG content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The creators of this BLOG are not liable for any actions or decisions taken by individuals based on the information presented herein. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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