Fitness During The Shopping Season

By Virginia Nsitem
Pride Health Columnist

Now that we are only a few weeks until Christmas, many people have started visiting shopping malls and plazas and grocery stores to buy items for the holidays. Some of the unpleasant things we face include long line ups, crowded stores, and busy parking lots. The following tips will help keep you energized and refreshed.

1.    Stretch before and after your shopping. If you plan on shopping for several hours, you should remember to stretch your back, legs and arms. This is important considering the large shopping carts you may be pushing, heavy bags you may have to carry, and hard surfaces you may have to walk on.

2.    Bring a bottle of water. Shopping indoors can leave you dry and thirsty. If you bring your own bottle of water, not only will you cut down on the expense of buying it a store, but you will be able to stay hydrated during your shopping trip.

3.    Dress in layers. It may be below freezing outdoors, but it is often quite warm inside the malls. Bring a light jacket and dress in layers so that you will be able to stay comfortable during your shopping trip. Remember that pressure from a heavy coat or purse on the neck and shoulder muscles can cause neck pain.

4.    Make a plan. Try to plan out your shopping trip to avoid wasting time. Call stores in advance to make sure they have the item you wish to purchase in stock. If you have a lot of items to carry, bring one or more friends along to help lighten your load. Also, take advantage of the services offered at customer care centres to make your shopping trip more convenient.

5.    Keep calm. No matter how much we try to plan ahead, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Try not to get too stressed out. Stay focused on where you walk to avoid slipping and falling, and how you drive to avoid minor collisions.

6.    HAVE FUN. Take short breaks during your shopping trip. Sit on a bench to people-watch, enjoy a show, or indulge in something sweet.

Dr. Virginia Nsitem is a chiropractor specializing in laser therapy for muscle, joint and nerve injuries, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences in Canada. She may be reached at (905) 275-4993, or by email at totalhealth@bellnet.ca.