Get up and stretch!!
In recent months, several friends of mine have been stricken with painful back spasms. I’ve had this problem myself, and it’s no fun. The pain just completely ruins my capacity to concentrate.
Have you heard “sitting is the new smoking”?
I struggle with this myself when I’m writing and get deeply involved on my computer screen. It’s very easy for an hour to go by without moving at all! Or I can be on a long phone call or long Zoom calls or taking care of correspondence and hours can go by before I get up and move around. Many of us are vulnerable to this problem.
I often hear people say things like I should do better and I call that shoulding on yourself!
Instead, if you’re reading this, keep in mind a few simple practices, (and by the way writing this reminds me too):
Keep reminding yourself to get up every 20 minutes or half hour. If you fail and find that you haven’t moved for two hours cultivate self compassion and just remind yourself again.
Listen to your body. When you start to get achy, take the hint and get up.
If you do begin to have the twinge of a back spasm, get disciplined about giving your back some love. Consider a cold pack for 20 minutes to help constrict the blood vessels, then give yourself some comfort with soothing heat
I bought a TENS machine and I feel like it really did keep the difficulty at bay when I began to feel the twinge (it’s Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ). I do believe in listening to my body, particularly as I age. I try to manage things before they become acute.
I am an avid practitioner of traditional Chinese martial arts, especially Taiji Chen style and I know this has helped promote my overall sense of good health.
At the end of the day I think the most important thing for us to remember is to listen to our bodies and slow down when we need to.
It’s easy to say, but not so easy to do.
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The first module of my signature self paced Be Your Own Coach course is called Zen Zone with a guided reflection on the various ways people use to relax in the midst of a busy life. Check it out if you’re inspired to.
