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Rehabbing after an injury or surgery is hard enough without trying to do it during the hectic holiday season, but the end of the calendar year is usually a busy time at our clinic as people squeeze in surgeries and appointments before their max out of pocket expenses reset. If you’re one of the many people trying to recover after an injury or an elective surgery during the holiday season, you’ll want to keep a few tips in mind to make the process easier. In today’s blog, we share some tips for surviving the holidays while also working to recover after an injury or surgery.

Managing Your Recovery During The Holiday Season

Both your rehabilitation and the holiday season can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining, so it’s important that you come in with the right mindset to keep everything on track. Here are some PT-approved tips for surviving the holiday season while you recover from injury or surgery.

  1. Prioritize Sleep – Make it a point to get quality sleep each night. We know this won’t be easy, especially if you are traveling for the holidays, but quality sleep will make it much easier for you to wake up feeling refreshed and physically ready to attack each day. Poor sleep can leave you feeling groggy, fatigued and unmotivated to pursue the physical activities like PT that will promote healthy recovery.
  2. Do Your Exercises Each Day – We know that your schedule can get hectic, but carve out 10-15 minutes each day to do your therapy exercises. Don’t just assume that you’ll find time to complete your exercise, go out of your way to make time each day. If you plan ahead and are willing to multi-task, we’re confident that you will be able to do your therapy routine every day.
  3. Mind Your Diet – It’s easy to overindulge during the holiday season, but overeating can leave you feeling lethargic and lead to weight gain, which only puts more stress on your recovering body. It’s fine to indulge here and there, but don’t make a habit of poor eating choices throughout the holidays.
  4. Carve Out Me Time – The holiday season can be mentally exhausting, and it’s important to carve out some “me” time so that you can focus on your mental health. Wake up 15 minutes early and do some yoga or deep breathing exercises, or simply enjoy your coffee while reading a book before the rest of the house wakes up. Make sure that you make time for yourself this season, as this will help you stay motivated during your physical recovery.
  5. Get Outside – Winter is oftentimes dark and cold here in Minnesota, and lack of sunlight can have a real effect on your mental health. Bundle up and get outside so that you can enjoy some sunlight. Sunlight helps with vitamin D production and lets your brain know that it’s time to stop producing the sleep-inducing hormone serotonin.
  6. Stay Hydrated – If you’re tired or stressed during the holidays, it may be easier to turn to caffeine or alcohol, but these drinks can leave us feeling tired and dehydrated as they work their way through our system. Dehydration can constrict blood vessels and make it harder for healthy blood to reach structures that need it most. Be sure to drink plenty of water during the winter months to stay hydrated.
  7. Get Comfortable Saying No – It can be easy to overcommit yourself during the holidays. Perhaps you’re planning on traveling to see a bunch of family while also preparing the house for when your in-laws come to stay, and you’re baking cookies for the church bake sale and trying to line up a babysitter for the office holiday party. If you feel like you have to say yes to every commitment during the holidays, you will be exhausted, and that can have an adverse affect on your recovery. Start getting comfortable saying no or limiting your commitments during the holidays, especially if you’re recovering after an injury or surgery.
  8. Connect With A Professional – If you want to give yourself the best chance to make a strong recovery after an injury or surgery during the holiday season, connect with a professional team of physical therapists like the ones you’ll find at OrthoRehab Specialists. We’ll develop an individualized physical therapy plan that ensures you continue to make progress even during the busy holiday season. Let us help you start the new year off right with a strong recovery!

For more information, or for help with a different physical issue, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.

Dr. Andy Masis, PT
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