Therapy Tips: How to have a fun and active Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

The night before Thanksgiving, many of us are planning our last minute holiday treats and getting ready to travel. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to practice gratitude as well as self-care! According to The Calorie Control Council, the average Thanksgiving meal consists of 3,000 calories! Beyond the abundance of food available, the holidays can trigger emotional stress in some people. Because of this, we decided to compile a list of ways to keep you healthy and happy during the holidays! 
​
Here are some tips to keep your holiday safe, active and healthy!
​

1. Participate in a Turkey Trot: Our area is home to many great turkey trots. These range from 1 mile walks to 26+ mile runs!  Many of the turkey trots also have kid races in order for the whole family to participate! The turkey trots also raise money for great local causes! 
2. Don't skip breakfast: Starving yourself to save up for your Thanksgiving dinner is never a good idea! Instead, have a light but nutritious breakfast to jump start your metabolism and prevent over-eating at dinner! 
3. Take a walk: Starting your day off with light exercise will help you gain some mental clarity and peace of mind before the hustle of the holiday starts! A nice walk can also help burn off some of the extra calories from the meal!
4. Go tech-free: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children spend less than 2 hours per day on entertainment-based screen time. They reports "Too much screen time can lead to obesity, lower academic achievement, reduced socialization skills and an increase in aggressive behav­ior." During Thanksgiving dinner, try to unplug from mobile devices to encourage face-to-face family conversation and bonding.
5. Yoga and Meditation: Holidays can be stressful! Take a deep breath and allow yourself to reconnect to what you are grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Yoga is not only great for the mind, but also good for the body! 

Family Physical Therapy would like to wish a safe and fun holiday to all those who are participating this year. In order to observe the holiday with our families, we will be closed Thursday, November 23 and Friday, November 24.