--- title: Sleigh the Holidays with Smart Ergonomics description: The holidays bring hazards, but with these tips, you can sleigh the season—pain-free. image: https://info.workwell.com/hubfs/Assets/Blog%20Pics/iStock-1162817583%20Santa%20had%20an%20accident.jpg --- # Prevent It WorkWell's Workplace Injury Prevention Blog ![divider-1](https://info.workwell.com/hubfs/Vector%2016.png) ![](https://info.workwell.com/hubfs/Assets/Blog%20Pics/iStock-1162817583%20Santa%20had%20an%20accident.jpg) # Sleigh the Holidays with Smart Ergonomics [ Kristen Cederlind ](https://info.workwell.com/blog/author/kristen-cederlind) Dec 18, 2024 11:00:00 AM If you think “ergonomics” is just for the office, think again! The holidays bring more hazards than a cat near a Christmas tree, but with these tips, you can sleigh the season—pain-free. After all, the joy of giving shouldn’t involve pulling a muscle. The secret? Keep your body as comfy as your favorite holiday sweater. **Repetitive Motion** Gift wrapping is the ultimate test of endurance for your hands. Here’s how to wrap smart, not hard: Buy fewer gifts: Your hands (and your bank account) will thank you. Plus, less wrapping means more eggnog time. Use gift bags: The miracle cure for wrapping woes. Just plop, fluff, and you’re done! Take mini-stretch breaks: If you insist on wrapping like a Hallmark movie star, stretch those wrists and fingers before they cramp up like a reindeer in a snowstorm. **Lifting** Lugging holiday loot can make you feel like Santa after a bad gym day. Stay merry and avoid misery: Opt for gift cards: Lightweight, portable, and no assembly required. Lift with style: Bend those knees, channel your inner elf, and use your legs. If it’s heavier than your holiday spirit, get help! **Contact Stress** Holiday shopping crowds: where "contact" and "stress" come together like cookies and milk—but way less fun. Here’s how to avoid the chaos: Skip the stores: Shop online in your pajamas while sipping cocoa. Win-win! Avoid desk traps: When scrolling for deals, don’t lean your forearms on the desk edge unless you enjoy pinched nerves and grumpy elbows. **Awkward Positions** Decorating disasters are real. Whether it’s wrestling with tangled lights or scaling Mount Christmas Tree, play it safe: Shorter trees, fewer tears: A compact tree means you’ll spend less time impersonating a circus acrobat. Learn from the pros: Watch *Christmas Vacation* or *Home Alone* for a masterclass in holiday hazards (and laughs). Use proper tools: A ladder or step stool is your best friend. Stretching like Gumby is not. **Static Postures** Standing in endless lines or prepping feasts can turn you into a holiday statue. Keep things moving: Mix it up: Alternate between standing, sitting, and dancing to Mariah Carey’s greatest hits. Stretch like a snowman in the sun: Roll your shoulders, wiggle your toes, and take deep breaths to avoid feeling frozen. **Make Time to Relax** The holidays warm the heart, but don’t let them wreck your back. Take time to kick back with a blanket and a cheesy holiday movie. 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