|
Don't
Shop Till You Drop
Tradition has it that the day after
Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday-season shopping
sprint.
But experts caution that the demands
of carrying burdens of packages and bags for long periods of time
in crowded malls and downtowns that are too hot or too cold can
give you back pain and sore feet.
Dr. Andrew Casdan, associate director
of the Spine Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center, offers the
following advice on how to avoid or reduce this physical toll:
- Don't cram all your shopping
in at once. Space out your shopping trips and buy one or two
items at a time. This will help keep you more relaxed and it
means you won't have to lug a load of heavy packages.
- Balance your shopping bags to
prevent putting too much strain on one side of your body.
- Carry packages as close to your
body as possible to lessen wear and tear on your back muscles.
- Remember proper lifting technique
when hefting your packages and shopping bags. Use your legs,
bend your knees and keep your back straight.
- Buy the heaviest gifts last or
leave them at the store until you're ready to pick them up.
- Wear comfortable non-slip shoes
that let you wiggle your toes and let your feet breathe.
- Take snack breaks and drink water.
More information
Here's where you can find more
holiday
health and safety tips.
Reference
Source 101
For more information on how to prevent other diseases, use
PreventDisease.com's "Quick
Prevention Resources".
|
