Ah yes, the holidays. The most wonderful time of the year... for your chiropractor.
Every year, right around Thanksgiving, my wife and I begin our annual tradition of turning our home into what can only be described as a Hallmark Christmas movie on steroids.
And every year, I somehow forget how much work this involves.
Now, I'll admit, I'm partly to blame. When it comes to the Christmas lights outside, I have a slight problem with moderation. There's one particular tree in our yard that I don't just decorate, I wrap that thing in so many lights that you'd think I'm trying to make it visible from outer space.
But my wife? She's on a whole different level.
She goes full Martha Stewart. And by full Martha Stewart, I mean Martha Stewart on a Christmas decorating mission, armed with four indoor Christmas trees, 20-plus tubs of decorations, and a husband who apparently moonlights as a moving company.
Every year, I haul those 20-plus tubs of Christmas decorations up and down the stairs. Twenty-Plus Tubs!
And let's not forget the four Christmas trees. FOUR! Apparently, one beautifully decorated Christmas tree is simply not enough Christmas spirit for this household.
By the time we're finished, I've climbed more stairs than a firefighter, lifted more boxes than a UPS driver, and twisted myself into positions that would make a yoga instructor uncomfortable.
And I'm a chiropractor. I know better.
The Holiday Workout Nobody Signed Up For
Here's the thing. Decorating for Christmas is actually a pretty decent workout. Unfortunately, it's usually the kind of workout your body hasn't trained for.
Hours of bending, lifting, twisting, reaching overhead, climbing ladders, and carrying heavy tubs up and down stairs can leave your muscles sore, tight, and exhausted.
Trust me, I feel it too.
After a full weekend of decorating, my lower back is tight, my shoulders are sore, and I'm walking around like I just played four quarters for the Colts.
And yes, even chiropractors get sore. Shocking, I know.
My advice? Take breaks, lift with some common sense, avoid twisting while carrying heavy decorations, and don't try to finish everything in one afternoon. Your back doesn't care how festive you're feeling.
But Here's the Part That Makes It All Worthwhile...
After all the lifting, complaining, sweating, occasional colorful language, and wondering why on earth we need another Christmas tree, something pretty wonderful happens.
We turn off the regular lights, plug everything in, and stand back.
And suddenly, it's beautiful, it truly is.
The trees are glowing, the house is warm, the decorations are everywhere, and all that hard work seems to disappear.
I look around and realize just how fortunate I am. Fortunate to have a beautiful home to decorate, a wife who puts so much love into making Christmas special, and a life filled with traditions and memories worth celebrating.
And as much as I complain about hauling those 20-plus tubs up and down the stairs, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Well... maybe I'd trade a few of the tubs.
Because at the end of the day, the soreness fades, the muscles loosen up, and the memories last forever.
And when I'm sitting there enjoying the lights, feeling grateful for everything we have, I realize something else.
In about six weeks, I have to carry all this crap back downstairs.
Have a wonderful start to your holiday season!
-Dr. Wise and everyone at CORE Wellness Centers!
