Tips When Cooking

Kitchen Shoes. Personally, I initially used to feel very odd wearing sneakers in the kitchen, so I can relate to those of you who feel that way. However, the pros outweigh the cons. Shoes that have an adequate amount of cushion and a sturdy structure, well help you preserve your energy and minimize pain in most of your joints. For those of you who are concerned about hygiene, get a pair of shoes that are kitchen only shoes to avoid outdoor cross contamination.

Break It Up! It is not only the gym rats who might be overdoing the amount of activity they are doing in one session. Over my years as a physical therapist, I have met many, many holiday chefs who will power through hours of consecutive preparation and cooking. They will ignore their pain, their fatigue, and their stress. This leaves them feeling miserable and struggling during the time they spend with their loved ones. Try to strategize: Break up the food prep time over a few days and within each day; do not try to go non-stop.

Stretch. Standing in the kitchen for long periods of time can cause tightness and our muscles. Most often times people will find this in their neck, lower back, and the back of their legs. When you discover a tight spot, take 30 seconds to move that area so that you feel a stretch. Moving in and out of that stretch would be a more ideal option than holding the stretch for the 30 seconds. This will help keep you from getting as tight you would if you didn’t stretch.