Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and while it will likely look a little different this year because of the coronavirus, odds are millions of Americans will be celebrating the holiday in some fashion, and that can cause a chronic pain flareup. While you may be looking forward to the holiday, Thanksgiving can be both stressful and physically demanding for your body, and that can make a chronic pain condition much worse. Below, we share some tips for avoiding chronic pain flareups over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving and Chronic Pain

Here are some ways in which the Thanksgiving holiday can contribute to a chronic pain flareup, and what you can do to help keep pain at bay over the holiday.

1. Destress – Stress is one of the most common chronic pain triggers, and Thanksgiving can be a stressful time. When you consider the added stress that the coronavirus brings, it’s easy to see how it could be a stressful few days. We’re not saying you should skip every single family gathering and self-isolate if you don’t have symptoms, because isolation can have its own impact on your chronic pain, but you need to make smart decisions for your health and the health of others. Avoid large get-togethers where the virus could spread, and skip an event if you’re feeling symptoms. This can help give you peace of mind that you’re putting your health first, and that can help you destress. If you are having a couple people over, plan ahead and have everyone bring a dish to pass so you’re not overstressed trying to do all the cooking and cleaning. Work to destress your life during the Thanksgiving holiday.

2. Stay Active – Regardless of whether you’re staying home or attending a small function, make sure you are still exercising and keeping your body busy over the Thanksgiving break. Overeating and sitting on the couch for a few days won’t do any favors for your pain condition. Make it a point to get regular exercise and strengthen your body even as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter.

3. Diet – No, we’re not telling you that you need to diet throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, that would just be mean. However, we do want you to be mindful of your dietary choices over Thanksgiving. Carbohydrate-dense and sugary foods can lead to inflammation development and a chronic pain flare up, so make sure you are making some healthy choices at the dinner table. We don’t expect you to be perfect, but if you make some smart choices and strive for some regular exercise, you’ll be able to help control against a chronic pain flareup.

4. Move and Stretch – Finally, to help avoid back pain or muscle stiffness, it’s important that you stand up and move around when possible. If you’re flying home or taking a long road trip, find some time to get out of your seat and stretch to help take pressure off certain areas of your body that handle stress in a seated position. Even if you’re not traveling, don’t just plop down in front of the television for the Macy’s parade and a full day of football. Move around, go for a walk and stretch every so often to help prevent muscle stagnation and a chronic pain flareup.

If you need help with your pain condition before or after the Thanksgiving holiday, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.