Festivals in India are truly an emotion. They bring families together, fill our homes with the smell of delicious foods and make us put on our most beautiful outfits. From dancing all night at dandiya parties to carrying shopping bags filled with dry fruits and sweets while hopping from one market to another, the festive season is without a doubt the best time of the year.
But like everything, the celebrations come with their fair share of side effects: body ache. Nothing dampens the festive mood faster than that annoying pain when all you want to do is keep celebrating.
So how do you make sure your body stays as festive as your spirit? Keep reading because we have answered this long-standing question for you.
Why Muscle & Joint Pain Sneaks in During Festivities
Nobody warns you how physically (and mentally) taxing festive season can get. Cleaning, decorating, lifting boxes, cooking for a whole army of guests – all of it puts pressure on your joints and muscles. Carrying shopping bags or even helping with decor rearrangements? Your back and shoulders take the hit. Sleep gets shorter, food gets heavier, and hydration? Completely ignored. All of this ultimately contributes to body aches. While youngsters may bounce back faster, older family members are more likely to feel joint stiffness during festivities.
Festive Season Pain Relief Tips
Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could enjoy the whole season without your body complaining? The good news is, you can. Follow these festive season pain relief tips to keep aches 10 feet away from you, at all times.
1. Warm Up Before Dancing
Yes, we know, you’re not at the gym, you’re probably at you cousin’s Diwali party. But just like athletes prep before a big match, your body deserves a little warm-up before hitting the dance floor. Simple stretches for your arms, shoulders, and legs will make sure you don’t pull a muscle mid-Naagin dance. As funny and odd it may look, you’ll be doing yourself a favor.
2. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration makes your muscles stiff and joints cranky. Keep sipping water, coconut water, lemonade, or hydrating fruit juices between all the sweets and snacks. Bonus: it also keeps your skin glowing for all those selfies!
3. Choose the Right Footwear
As much as those high heels and pointy juttis look great with your outfit, they can wreak havoc on your legs and back. Try switching into comfy shoes once the main photos are clicked and you’ll thank yourself later.
4. Take Dance Breaks
Non-stop dancing may look like a lot of fun, but it puts a lot of pressure on your knees and ankles. Rest between songs and sit for a while. Let your body recover. Even the DJ takes breaks.
5. Balance Heavy Loads
Carrying too many shopping bags in one hand? That uneven weight pulls your shoulder and strains your back. Distribute the load evenly, or better, share it with your siblings.
6. Don’t Forget Sleep
Sleep feels optional when the whole house is buzzing with fun and laughter. But the fact is, your muscles repair themselves while you sleep. A solid 6–7 hours can make all the difference between waking up fresh or waking up sore.
What If Pain Still Shows Up
One of the biggest mistakes people make during festivals is ignoring the early signs of pain. Even with the best precautions, sometimes muscle and joint pain manages to sneak in. It doesn’t mean your celebrations are over. You just need the right remedies to bounce back quickly.
1. Massage with Oils
A gentle massage works wonders for stiff muscles and joints. Using a joint pain relief oil or muscle pain relief oil not only relaxes the area but also improves blood circulation, which speeds up recovery. Plus, the warmth from a massage feels so soothing after a long busy day.
2. Quick Fix with Sprays
When you’re at a function or out shopping and can’t really sit for a massage, a pain relief spray comes to the rescue. It’s quick-acting, easy to use, portable and provides instant numbing relief so you can get back to enjoying the moment without delay.
3. Heat & Cold Therapy
This age-old remedy still works like a charm. Apply a hot water bag or cold pack to sore areas to reduce inflammation and relax stiff joints. Cold helps calm swelling, while heat eases stiffness. Switch depending on what your body needs.
4. Rest
Resting doesn’t mean lying flat in bed for days. Gentle movement like walking around or light stretching ensures your muscles don’t get even stiffer. Balance activity with proper rest.
Do’s & Don’ts During Festivals
Sometimes small habits make the biggest difference.
Do’s
- Do gentle stretches every morning to keep your joints flexible.
- Do keep a small water bottle handy during travel and shopping.
- Do carry a pain relief spray in your bag for emergencies.
Don’ts
- Don’t wear brand-new heavy shoes for long hours without softening them first.
- Don’t ignore early signs of pain and treat it before it gets worse.
- Don’t sit or stand in the same position for too long. Move around.
Wrapping up
Festivals in India are the grandest celebration of our vibrant culture. And while your spirit is always ready to go all out and enjoy, your body needs a little extra love and care to keep up with the celebrations. Even the simplest festive season pain relief tips can make a world of difference and prevent most aches from showing up. And if pain does knock on the door, don’t stress. Pain relief products will get you back on your feet in no time, so you can party like there’s no tomorrow.