12 days of Christmas
FA LA LA and HO HO HO! ‘Tis the season for great joy, right? Not stress, presents, no working out, money talks and families fussing. How should we spend this holiday season? I say the 12 days of Christmas need to be easier, not more complicated; tailored to your family’s needs and not some idea cooked-up online or in a magazine. I mean, I like Norman Rockwell, Carl Larsson, Thomas Kinkade and Greg Olsen’s beautiful Christmas pictures and the feelings they evoke, but not the guilt and pressure that might come with it.
You see, the ultimate holidays were meant to bring families and friends together, not with the pressure of perfection, but with the pleasure of the moments shared. It isn’t about the house being perfect, the lights outside, the decorations and the food. I sure like all that, but it is about the laughter, the joy and the memories created that will fuel us through the next year. So let’s get you moving and add some mind and body health to our lives.
The 12 days
of Christmas:
On the first day of Christmas, ask one special person their favorite holiday memory from their childhood.
On the second day of Christmas, take two extra minutes and do four sets of 30-second planks. Your body’s core will thank you.
On the third day of Christmas, take your three teenage sons that have lots of energy to the lake to skate.
On the fourth day of Christmas, call four members of your family and tell them one thing you love about them.
On the fifth day of Christmas, take five extra minutes at the gym to stretch before you leave.
On the sixth day of Christmas, sing a Christmas carol to someone at work who is having a hard day.
On the seventh day of Christmas, grab your friends and head to the Kroc Center for some swimming.
On the eighth day of Christmas, go walking in your neighborhood and see if you can get one neighbor to go with you. Do it in the evening and you can see the Christmas lights.
On the ninth day of Christmas, see if you can get your family to do a little dancing in the kitchen while you are cooking. In my house, my boys are always trying to learn some moves from my husband and it is always quite a sight to watch.
On the 10th day of Christmas, take 10 extra minutes and call a friend and tell them how much you appreciate them.
On the 11th day of Christmas, add 11 push-ups to your exercise regime and get your swell on for the Holidays. If you can’t do them on the floor, do them on the wall.
On the 12th day of Christmas, make sure that you have made a commitment to your physical and mental health by doing all of the above, and if you haven’t done any of it, come see us so we can help you have a healthy and happy new year!
Your health matters to us and we want you well.
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Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Valley.
She graduated from Loma Linda University, School of Physical Therapy in 1984 and was an Adjunct Professor there for more than seven years in Kinesiology, gait training and neck and back evaluations. She ran the International Education Institute, a physical therapy continuing education business for manual therapy.
She has been in Coeur d’Alene practicing PT for the past 21 years and feels this community is the most beautiful place in the world to be with her family for the holidays! Call us for an appointment at 208-667-1988 and 509-8891-2623.