hello friends! i hope this monday finds you all well. we unfortunately have a mild tummy bug going through our house - no fun! belly crummies or not i've had lots to be thankful for the past few days. here is a quick summary ::
day 11 - various meet up with fantastic friends {thank you, loves!}
day 12 - sweet sixteenth birthdays {miss niko!}
day 13 - my washer and dryer {tummy bug}
day 14 - autumn sun {glorious healing sunbeams}
oh, and i haven't closed the comments on the
alphabet glue giveaway post just yet, so get over there and enter, quick!
and now i am super excited for my first handmade holiday guest post! today i am featuring my sweet friend karen who i was lucky enough to meet at a local yarn shop two winters ago. we were both expecting and had our sweet baby boys just days apart :: my luca and her liam ♥
karen has put together a lovely {and so important} post about taking care of yourself while making a handcrafted holiday. thanks bunches for your contribution, karen! xoxo
We all know how much fun knitting, crocheting, sewing and general
craftiness are, but too much of a good thing can lead to painful wrists,
hands, forearms and shoulders. Listed below are some simple things you
can do to alleviate the stress and strain of all the holiday craftiness
you are probably in the midst of. Remember though, these self care
techniques are good for anytime of the year, and taking care of yourself
now will help to ensure you are crafting happily and pain free for many
years to come!
***
Tips to Reduce Stress
1. Make a list of things to
do, prioritizing what needs to be done first, and putting off things
that can wait for a little while.
2. Try to maintain a normal
sleeping pattern. Same thing goes for your diet. Yeah, yeah, I know it
doesn't sound like fun and some days these goals may be totally
impossible, but it will make it easier for you to deal with the ups and
downs of the holiday craft season. All though, the occasional cookie
and cup of cocoa does make the crafting just that much merrier ;)
3. Make time to do the things that are truly important to you; its
important to take time for yourself during the holiday hustle and
bustle.
4. DRINK WATER!!! It can help you feel better if you have overindulged, and also promotes general health and well being.
5. Realize it may not all get done, especially if you keep adding
things to your to do list. Try setting a date that you will "throw in
the towel" and be done with crafting craziness...if it isn't done my
then, it can wait. This frees you up to enjoy some time before and
during the holidays without feeling guilty. For me this year, that day
is December 17th.
6. Go see your massage therapist, chiropractor or acupuncturist.
All three treatments can greatly improve your physical well being as
well as your mental outlook.
Tips to Reduce Pain and Tension While Crafting
1. Take a break! Stop every hour or so to give your hands a good
stretch. Really open up your palm, stretch your fingers as wide as they
will open. Shake your hands out and maybe rub some nice lotion on
them, focusing on the middle of your palm and where your fingers join
the palm. Rub the inside of your wrist with the thumb of the opposite
hand. Make small circles with your arms and then let them hang loose at
your sides.
2. Close your eyes for fifteen to thirty seconds every ten minutes
or so, especially if you are working with a very small gauge knitting
project or a difficult to read pattern/chart.
3. If you notice
the discomfort lasting longer or becoming more intense, please see your
healthcare provider as soon as possible. Believe it or not, it is
possible to hurt yourself by crafting.
4. Knitting yourself a pair of wrist warmers or gauntlets to keep
your wrists warm while you are working is a great way to help keep
yourself from experiencing discomfort. Just make sure when you knit
them for yourself, you make them snug enough that they wont interfere
with you are crafting. Natural fibers are best for this type of
project, as they will retain heat.
5. If you have over-done it, place ice on you hands, wrists or
shoulder to help alleviate any pain or swelling that may occur. A good
rule to follow is ten minutes on, twenty minutes off until the pain
subsides or the swelling goes down.
6. Last but not least, don’t forget that crafting is what you do for
fun! Sure, we all feel the pressure of the holiday giving crunch, but
your family would rather have you happy, healthy and sane for the
holidays, even if it means they get an IOU (or better yet, the supplies
to make their own gift and a bit of your time teaching them a new
craft...its like two presents in one!).
--
Karen
www.albanyofthewest.blogspot.com
