People are gearing up for holiday season as you read this. There are millions of shopping trips to be made, friends to be invited over, dinners to be hosted, and decorations to put up.

But whether it’s Christmas or New Year, make sure you prioritize your health and safety above all else. In the middle of all the hustle and frenzy, you also have to stay injury-free!

Here are some most common lifting injuries you need to try and avoid this holiday season:

The Big Bird!

Roasting and carrying a turkey aren’t usually what people consider a hazardous task. But the final dish can get pretty heavy, with all the accoutrements, stuffing, etc.

In fact, the bird even has to be lifted a number of times in and out of the oven. This means you’ll bend over repeatedly to see if the turkey is the right level of tender. This can put a strain on your back.

On a day as important as Christmas, a strained back is the last thing you want.

Here are some of the ways you can avoid the pain:

Instead of twisting or bending with your back, try and bend with your knees when you’re taking the bird out.

Moreover, setting down the heavy pan, make sure the space is clear and that you bend slightly with your knees—as above—instead of leaning over.

Putting up decorations

Decorations are an indispensable part of the holidays. Decorating and putting up the Christmas tree, in particular, is a precious time for families, allowing them to put up the ornaments and colours of their choice and cherish some happy moments.

Here’s the tricky part: most decorations require you to climb ladders and carry heavy boxes here and there. The heaviest one of all being the tree itself; carrying it around is no easy feat. Christmas trees are heavier than they look. And the more ornaments you put up, the heavier it is. Handling it can be quite dangerous if you’re not exercising reasonable precautions. Other than straining your back, you could also end up injuring your spine or straining your shoulder.

The key is to always to lift a Christmas tree with your legs and not with your back. Moreover, this is not a task for one person, so consider seeking help from a friend. The more the merrier!

Divergent Health is a chronic pain management center in Calgary. We are home to a team of highly qualified doctors and medical specialists who treat a number of conditions including sprains, injuries, fractures, strains, and chronic pains. Book your appointment now.