Holiday Fever
Are you dealing with the post-school holiday blues? Or just struggling to get back into your normal routine? Here are some great ways to make the transition back from the holidays easier!
Picture this! It's 10a.m. on a sunny day, the kids are playing at the beach while you lounge on a massive towel enjoying the warmth of the sun. Great, right? The holidays bring with them the blissful idea of peace that comes after a time of non-stop work and stress. For some, it's a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy a well-deserved break. For others, it brings with it the stress of juggling kids on holiday, finishing off that last bit of work, and making sure the school holidays run as smoothly as they can. Every parent deals with the holidays differently, but for most, there is always one common denominator that gets missed.
A lot of the time, our bodies take on the biggest burden of all, from all the stress, and maybe the extra food and drink(s).
We often forget how well our bodies remember trauma; whether it be physical, nutritional, or mental in nature. Come holiday time, we often feel tired, drained, and desperate for a break. But when we try to get back into our pre-holiday routine, we can feel heavier, weaker, and just generally more unfit. So, let’s talk about some things we can do to make the transition easier.
1. Stay active
Start small, and go for walks. The World Health Organisation recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity a week, or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity a week for adults aged 18-64 years of age (World Health Organisation, 2022). That means going for a half an hour walk a day, everyday. We’re so fortunate here in WA to live in a climate which has such fresh air, so take this time for yourself, and enjoy it! Take the dog for a walk, bring the kids or your partner, or start a group with a bunch of mates. Studies show that exercise has a positive impact on mental health, helping reduce the affects of anxiety, depression, and stress (Mikkelsen et al., 2017 and Tilp et al., 2019). Doing so during a break such as a school break has also been found to improve cognitive function, whether that be in adults or in kids (Tilp et al., 2019).
2. Start a morning routine
Whether that be your skin routine, morning meditation, reading the newspaper, or writing in a journal. Keeping up a morning routine helps with mental health as it helps you centre yourself and increases focus while reducing stress. A randomised controlled trial in 2021 found a statistically significant positive impact from morning meditation for college students with regards to their stress levels (Dorais & Gutierrez, 2021). So, whether your meditation is self-reflection, diary writing, going for a run, or a morning workout and stretch, do what works for you and help your mind settle and enjoy the quiet.
3. Eat well and drink lots of water
Come holiday time, we often ignore the rules we put on ourselves, especially when it comes to diet. The we get worked up about the kilos afterwards, and end up remembering dinners with our families with guilt. Oftentimes we forget how much our body depends on the chemical balance, whether it be from nutrition, water intake, or hormones. Our bodies are very smart, and often give us cues that there’s trouble brewing, whether we like it or not. So whether that be drinking a green smoothie in the morning, or switching out potato mash for a sweet potato and kale salad, remember that not every holiday has to leave you with the guilty post-holiday blues.
4. Get lots of sleep
Sleep is such an important part of our lives. Our bodies need it to heal - especially our nervous system. As we know, our brain and body have to work together in order to function normally. By making sure we regulate our sleep cycle, we can ensure our body gets the appropriate healing it needs, getting rid of any toxins that can build up in your brain while you’re awake.
5. Get adjusted!
So many studies show the benefits Chiropractic has on our body, especially when it's combined with physical activity and exercise. So come in, get adjusted, and help get rid of those post-holiday blues!
References:
Physical activity (2022) World Health Organization. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity (Accessed: February 18, 2023).
Mikkelsen, K. et al. (2017) “Exercise and mental health,” Maturitas, 106, pp. 48–56. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.003.
Tilp, M. et al. (2019) “Physical exercise during the morning school‐break improves basic cognitive functions,” Mind, Brain, and Education, 14(1), pp. 24–31. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/mbe.12228.
Dorais, S. And Gutierrez, D. (2021) “The effectiveness of a centering meditation intervention on college stress and mindfulness: A randomized controlled trial,” Frontiers in Psychology, 12. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.720824.