While the upcoming Holiday season is cause to celebrate with hours of Hallmark Channel viewing, gingerbread latte sipping, and decorating, many people feel intense pangs of stress and anxiety over one “activity” in particular – shopping for gifts and all of the trimmings.
Some may brush this off as incidental at most, but the reality is that shopping anxiety is a real thing. The pressures of not having enough time to get it al done, finding the right gifts, and spending beyond what one can afford are among the causation factors. Others include being overstimulated in overcrowded shopping environments (malls, grocery stores, etc.) and concerns over shipping and mailing delays (Canada Post strike, anyone?).
While interventions for shopping anxiety are logically rooted in mental and behavioral health treatments, it turns out that physiotherapy (from a full service clinic) may also be of great assistance. Read ahead to learn more.
How Physiotherapy Can Supplement Treatment for Shopping Anxiety Associated with Christmas and the Holiday Season
Treating Physical Symptoms of Shopping Anxiety
There are a number of symptoms of shopping anxiety, many not which are manifested in a physical manner. These physical symptoms can be eased through physiotherapy.
Restlessness and Difficulty Sleeping: A physiotherapist will perform a musculoskeletal assessment and then assess your usual sleeping position. This will help them identify anything that may add to restlessness and sleeplessness, even if initially instigated by anxiety. From here, they can provide guidance on proper sleeping form to ensure a better night’s rest.
Aches and Pains Related to Stress Induced Inflammation: While shopping related stress and anxiety are the root cause of inflammation (in this case) the aches and pains you experience can be eased throughout physiotherapy treatments such as massage therapy and TCM acupuncture.
Chronic Headaches: Anxiety related headaches (and migraines) may cooccur with musculoskeletal issues. When headaches (or migraines) occur during episodes of anxiety and stress, it may be due in part from the amplification of musculoskeletal concerns. Physiotherapy interventions for headaches include chiropractic work in addition to adjustments to sitting ergonomics, one’s gait (manner of walking), and more. View more on physiotherapy for headaches and migraines.
Full Service Physiotherapy Clinic Counseling
For most physiotherapy clinics in Greater Vancouver BC, interventions for shopping anxiety stop at what we listed above. However, at our Burnaby clinic clients/patients will also find help for the behavioral health component. Absolute PhysioCare is staffed with a therapist who is qualified to employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and narrative therapy. These therapies are known to be effective in mitigating the fallout of shopping related anxiety and stress.
Supplement your treatment for shopping anxiety with physiotherapy (for physical symptoms) in time to enjoy the Holiday season ahead. Reach out to schedule your appointment today!