Holiday Stress, Meet Movement: Why St. Johns Residents Should Prioritize Wellness This Season
Greg Goldberger • November 10, 2025
Move better, feel better, and stress less this holiday season with personalized physical therapy care.
The holidays in St. Johns are full of good things: family gatherings, festive foods, twinkling lights, and a little time to slow down. But let’s be honest: they can also bring a whirlwind of stress, long to-do lists, and routines that go completely out the window. Between travel, shopping, decorating, and balancing family time with work, it’s easy to let physical activity take a back seat.
The problem? When movement slows down, stress and tension tend to creep in.
Why Stress and Stillness Don’t Mix
Research shows that stress can take a physical toll on the body; tightening muscles, disrupting sleep, and even intensifying pain perception. According to the American Psychological Association, “Exercise can help reduce stress by releasing endorphins, improving sleep, and reducing muscle tension” (APA, 2023).
During the holidays, however, our activity levels often drop. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that regular exercisers experience a measurable decline in movement around major holidays, which can contribute to increased fatigue and stiffness. Combine that with sugary foods, travel, and colder weather, and your body starts feeling the effects.
The Mind-Body Connection
Physical therapy isn’t just about treating injuries, it’s about helping you move, feel, and function better through every season. Studies have consistently shown that movement improves not only physical health but also mental well-being.
For example, researchers at Harvard Medical School report that “regular aerobic exercise can improve mood, sleep, and resilience to stress,” emphasizing that even light, consistent movement has measurable benefits (Harvard Health Publishing, 2022).
That means when you carve out time for stretching, mobility work, or guided exercise, you’re not only protecting your muscles and joints, you’re giving your mind a chance to reset too.
How Physical Therapy Helps You Stay Consistent
This time of year, consistency can be tough. Cold mornings make it tempting to skip workouts, and holiday events can crowd out self-care routines. That’s where physical therapy can make a difference.
Working with a physical therapist gives you a personalized approach, not a generic fitness plan, designed around your goals, schedule, and any current aches or mobility limitations. A PT can help you:
- Identify areas of tension or imbalance caused by stress or posture changes
- Create short, practical mobility routines you can do at home or while traveling
- Use manual therapy, dry needling, or guided exercise to relieve pain before it escalates
- Stay accountable and consistent with your movement even during the busiest time of year
According to a 2021 study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, patients who received individualized physical therapy programs reported “significant reductions in pain intensity and improved functional outcomes” compared to general exercise alone (PMC, 2021).
Simple Ways to Move More This Holiday Season
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. Movement doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym for an hour. Try these low-stress ways to stay active through the holidays:
- Morning mobility breaks: Spend five minutes stretching your neck, shoulders, and hips before diving into the day. Gentle movement early on can ease stiffness and set a calm tone.
- Walk it out: Take a 10-minute walk after meals to help with digestion and stress relief. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, even short bouts of movement can reduce fatigue and improve focus (ADAA, 2023).
- Counteract sitting: Whether you’re wrapping gifts or driving to see family, stand up every 30 minutes to stretch or do ankle circles.
- Make it social: Invite friends or family to join you for a quick walk or post-dinner stretch. Movement doesn’t have to be a solo task.
- Schedule recovery: If you’re already working out, use the holidays to focus on quality over quantity. Add mobility sessions, foam rolling, or guided breathing to your weekly plan.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Start
Waiting until January to “get back on track” often means starting from behind. By taking action now, you’ll reduce the physical toll of the season and set yourself up for a stronger, healthier start to the new year.
If you live in St. Johns, this is the perfect time to connect with a provider for physical therapy in St. Johns, FL who can help you move better and feel better through the holidays. A short mobility session or discovery visit can make a big difference; helping you release tension, prevent pain, and enjoy the season without feeling rundown.
Ready to move into the holidays feeling your best?
Book a discovery call today
to create your personalized holiday wellness plan. Stay ahead of the winter aches and make this the season you feel stronger, calmer, and more balanced, inside and out.
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The holiday season in St. Johns brings excitement, family traditions, and a long to do list that usually includes lifting decorations, standing for hours in the kitchen, long shopping days, and driving up and down 210. It is a joyful time, but it is also one of the most common seasons for back pain to flare up. Most of these aches come from mechanical stress on joints and tissues, not sudden injury, which is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s research on low back pain. The good news is that holiday related irritation is preventable with simple mobility routines and better movement strategies. Here is how to keep your back protected all season long. 1. Lifting Heavy Decor Boxes Without Strain Many St. Johns residents pull heavy bins of holiday decorations from attics, garages, or closets. Poor lifting mechanics significantly increase the risk of low back pain, which is highlighted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in their safe lifting guidelines. How to lift smarter: Keep the box close to your center of gravity. Bend at your hips and knees instead of rounding your back. Exhale and brace your core as you lift. Make multiple small trips instead of one heavy one. Mobility tip: Warm up first. Dynamic movements increase tissue elasticity and reduce mechanical irritation. 2. Prolonged Standing in the Kitchen Holiday cooking means long hours of chopping, stirring, and leaning over counters. Staying in one position too long increases stiffness and muscle fatigue. NINDS reports that sustained postures are a major contributor to mechanical low back pain. How to reduce standing fatigue: Alternate your stance by propping one foot on a small stool. Change your position every 10 to 15 minutes. Use cushioned shoes or an anti fatigue mat. Mobility tip: Add tiny movement breaks. Light lumbar rotations or marching in place prevent the stiffness that builds from continuous standing. 3. Shopping Days and Heavy Bags Holiday shopping at the St. Johns Town Center or local boutiques often leads to uneven loading from carrying bags on one side. As Spine Health notes, imbalanced loads contribute to muscle strain and low back irritation. How to shop smarter: Distribute weight evenly between both hands. Avoid carrying heavy bags on a single shoulder. Make trips to the car to unload heavier items. Mobility tip: Stretch your hip flexors afterward. Long periods of standing and walking tighten this area, which directly affects the lumbar spine. 4. Long Drives Up and Down 210 Holiday errands, family gatherings, and parties mean more time in the car. Sitting increases pressure on the lumbar discs and hip flexors. Research from NINDS notes that prolonged sitting is one of the most common triggers for mechanical low back pain. How to reduce back irritation in the car: Adjust your seat so your hips sit slightly higher than your knees. Use a small lumbar roll for support. Take breaks during longer trips to stand and walk. Mobility tip: When parked, pull one knee gently toward your chest to relieve hip and low back tension. 5. Why Simple Daily Mobility Helps Mobility does not need to be time consuming. It simply keeps your joints moving and prevents the stiffness that builds from repeated tasks. Spine Health emphasizes that consistent mobility improves circulation, reduces joint irritation, and enhances load tolerance. Three movements to keep your back happy: Hip hinges Thoracic rotations Bird dogs or dead bugs These movements support the spine during lifting, standing, cooking, carrying, and driving. When to See a Physical Therapist If holiday prep has already triggered pain that is sharp or persistent, a professional evaluation can help you identify the root cause and create a personalized plan. Movement Driven provides one on one care that focuses on restoring mobility, improving strength, and keeping you active all season. Ready to Stay Pain Free This Holiday Season? Schedule a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms and learn which mobility strategies will help you move pain free through the holidays.
The New Year is the perfect time to reset your health, rebuild your body, and move without pain. Whether your goals include recovering from an injury, improving mobility, returning to sport, or simply feeling better in your daily life, physical therapy in Jacksonville, FL can help you start the year stronger and more confident. At Movement Driven, we believe physical therapy should do more than just manage pain—it should help you move better, perform better, and live better. Why the New Year Is the Ideal Time to Start Physical Therapy Many people begin the year motivated to improve their health, but lingering pain, stiffness, or past injuries can hold them back. Physical therapy helps address these issues at the source rather than masking symptoms. Starting physical therapy in the New Year can help you: Recover from old injuries that never fully healed Improve strength, flexibility, and joint mobility Prevent injuries before increasing workouts or activity Reduce chronic pain without relying on medication Build healthy movement habits that last all year Instead of pushing through discomfort, working with a professional physical therapist gives you a clear plan for long-term success. Personalized Physical Therapy in Jacksonville, FL No two bodies are the same—and your physical therapy shouldn’t be either. At Movement Driven, we provide one-on-one, personalized physical therapy designed around your goals, lifestyle, and movement needs. Our Jacksonville physical therapy services focus on: Identifying the root cause of pain or dysfunction Improving movement quality and biomechanics Restoring strength, stability, and confidence Helping you return to the activities you love Whether you’re an athlete, a busy professional, or someone simply wanting to move without pain, our approach is tailored to you. Common Reasons People Seek Physical Therapy at the Start of the Year Many patients seek physical therapy in January and beyond for: Back pain and neck pain Shoulder, hip, and knee injuries Sports-related injuries Post-surgical rehabilitation Overuse injuries from exercise or work Mobility limitations affecting daily life Physical therapy helps you rebuild safely, reduce setbacks, and move forward with confidence. Prevent Injuries Before They Happen One of the most overlooked benefits of physical therapy is injury prevention. As activity levels increase in the New Year—new workout routines, training plans, or recreational sports—the risk of injury rises. Working with a physical therapist can: Correct movement imbalances Improve flexibility and joint control Strengthen weak or underactive muscles Reduce stress on joints and tissues Preventative physical therapy helps keep you active and pain-free throughout the year. Why Choose Movement Driven for Physical Therapy? Movement Driven stands out by focusing on how you move, not just where it hurts. Our evidence-based approach helps patients achieve lasting results—not temporary relief. ✔ Expert, movement-focused physical therapy ✔ One-on-one attention with your physical therapist ✔ Individualized treatment plans ✔ Modern, active approach to rehab and performance ✔ Trusted physical therapy provider in Jacksonville, FL We work with you, not just on you. Make This the Year You Move Better Don’t let pain, stiffness, or injury limit what you can do in the New Year. Investing in physical therapy in Jacksonville, FL is an investment in your health, performance, and quality of life. Whether you’re recovering, rebuilding, or looking to prevent future issues, Movement Driven is here to help you move forward with confidence. Visit Movement Driven in Jacksonville & St. Johns, FL Movement Driven proudly serves Northeast Florida with two convenient locations: 📍 Jacksonville, FL 📍 St. Johns, FL If you’re looking for expert, personalized physical therapy in Jacksonville, FL or St. Johns, FL, contact Movement Driven today and start the New Year moving better.
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