4 Tips to Stay Healthy While Holiday Shopping

The Holiday season is in full swing, which means both stores and online retailers will be busy with shoppers through the New Year.

Great deals on gifts are out there! Whether you’re going to stores or opting for online shopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you could also be putting your body at risk for injury. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to prevent these injuries for occurring. Read below for four tips to stay injury-free this holiday shopping season.

1. Plan it Out

You can never be too prepared for a shopping trip! Maximize your chance for deals by planning out what shops you want to hit. Also don’t forget your mask, to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle along so you can stay hydrated throughout the day.

2. Pre-Shopping Stretches

Make sure to get your body ready for a long day of shopping before heading out the door. Try warming up with calf stretches, rotational stretches (twisting from back to front) and deep breathing exercises. For a robust list of stretches, check out Athletico’s Stretch of the Week blogs. In the meantime, here are a few stretches to get you started:

• Seated Twist with Neck Stretch
• Easy Seated Twist
• Hamstring Extend and Release Stretch

Shopping from Your Mobile Device

• If you’re online shopping and scrolling from your mobile device, you may develop what’s known as “Tech thumb.” Check out this blog with tips and stretches to help prevent this injury.

Shopping from Your Computer

• If you find yourself seated at your desk for multiple hours while you online shop for your loved ones, be sure to take breaks! Set an alarm every 20-60 minutes and take a quick stroll around your home. This quick hack can help prevent back pain. For more information on posture tips when seated for a prolonged period, check out this blog.

3. Make the Most out of Waiting in Line

There are lots of lines when shopping for the holidays, from waiting to get into a store to waiting to actually check out. Make the most of your time in line by paying attention to your posture and by performing inconspicuous exercises like calf raises, neck stretches and small squats.

4. Be Careful of Heavy Bags

Don’t let your deals weigh you down and cause a back injury. Try to balance the load by carrying bags on both arms. If the bags start to get too heavy, don’t hesitate to grab a cart or drop them off at your car if possible.

Sore After Shopping?

If a long day of shopping has left you sore with lingering aches and pains, make sure to schedule a free assessment at your nearest Athletico location. Our clinicians will work to help get you better so you can start the New Year injury free. Free assessments are available in-clinic and virtually through our Telehealth platform.

Schedule a Free Assessment

The Athletico blog is an educational resource written by Athletico employees. Athletico bloggers are licensed professionals who abide by the code of ethics outlined by their respective professional associations. The content published in blog posts represents the opinion of the individual author based on their expertise and experience. The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and should not be relied on for making personal health decisions.