I get inspired to write when I’m injured or in pain.
I certainly don’t want to be injured, but as your chiropractor, I find that going through my own injuries and rehabilitation has a way of reinforcing some of the same principles I talk about with patients every day.
Right now, I’m dealing with a healing wrist sprain and a stiff, painful neck. And once again, I’m being reminded of something important:
Think progress, not perfection.
My basic principles of physical health are pretty simple:
Exercise. Sleep. Mental health. Nutrition. Treatment.
They all matter. But nobody has every one of them perfectly dialed in at the same time. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s looking at where you are today and finding realistic ways to improve.
Rehab Is Also Prehab
Rehab exercises can be boring.
They’re also necessary.
What’s interesting is that many of the exercises we’re told to do after an injury are the same exercises that can help keep our bodies stronger and more resilient before the next problem develops.
Your shoulder hurts. You do your rotator cuff exercises. You get better.
Then you stop.
Why?
Those exercises were good for you before you were hurt, while you were recovering, and after you felt better.
We can’t prevent every injury, but we can improve the state of our bodies and potentially reduce how often problems occur.
Keep Moving
If you already exercise, great. Look for small ways to do a little more or introduce more variety.
If you’re not exercising much right now, don’t become discouraged by recommendations that feel unrealistic.
Start with what your body can handle.
Then, when you’re ready, do a little more.
Slow and steady wins the race
I recently wrote more about how much exercise is recommended for health, but one of the most important ideas is that we should aim to keep moving—and ideally progressively do more as we age, not less.
Don’t Ignore Sleep
I frequently ask patients about both the quantity and quality of their sleep because sleep is an important part of how our bodies recover.
If your sleep isn’t great, work on improving it rather than expecting to fix everything overnight.
Try going to bed at a consistent time. Put the screens away. Read. Meditate. Find something that helps quiet your mind.
Again, it doesn’t have to be perfect.
It just needs to get better.
Mental Health Is Part of Physical Health
Stress, anxiety, mood and our thoughts can have a significant effect on our overall physical state.
I’m always willing to listen, although—as my psychologist wife likes to remind me—I’m not a psychologist.
I do know when it may be time to encourage someone to get additional help.
Supporting your mental health can also improve sleep, energy and overall wellbeing. Mental and physical health aren’t separate systems. They constantly influence one another.
Treatment Isn’t Just for When You’re Hurt
When something hurts, we tend to seek help.
Chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage therapy, mental health support and other forms of care often become priorities once a problem becomes difficult to ignore.
But treatment can also play an important role in maintaining the overall state of your body.
Staying mobile, reducing tension and addressing problems before they become bigger issues can all be part of a proactive approach to health.
So, don’t be a stranger.
If it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, you may be overdue.
Trust the Process
I try to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle built around exercise, sleep, nutrition and mental health.
Like everyone else, those things ebb and flow.
But I trust the process.
I eat the same nutritious lunch every day. Each week, I try to check the boxes for cardio, mobility, stability and resistance training. And, as boring as it may sound, my bedtime routine is generally consistent.
Those are my basics.
Over time, I keep trying to improve them.
I still get aches, pains and injuries. But I shudder to think about what would happen if I stopped doing the basics altogether.
I ain’t perfect.
I know!
But I am progressing.
And that, really, is the goal.