Physiotherapy and Resilience
The arrival of spring marks new beginnings for many of us. For some, the change in seasons and the sequence of holidays in between are much welcomed, ushering in hope for brighter days ahead and relief from the long winter. There are also those who experience a host of uncomfortable emotions with the mention of summer around the corner, including fear of the unknown and frustration about the lagging attainment of New Year’s resolutions. For those of you who have read the New York Times article on resilience, “Fall is the Season for Building Mindfulness and Resilience,” by Erik Vance, the idea of using these transitional periods as a time of reflection might be familiar. Looking to the longer days ahead and in the spirit of optimism, what lessons have we harvested from the season past? And what can we do in this very moment to be the best version of ourselves? How does this prepare us for the near future?
As you think about how you will gear up for warm-weather routines, such as walking to the park, barbecuing on the patio, tending to your garden, or taking your bike for a spin, what feelings come to the forefront? While it is commonplace to “hibernate” in the winter, summer places an expectation on us to be “fit”. This can place tremendous pressure on some of us to reach certain levels of fitness, especially when we compare and contrast ourselves to either previous levels of fitness or that of others. To eliminate any self-doubt, we can focus on the present moment instead. How is your balance? Perhaps there is something that can be done to improve your dynamic standing balance, such as when you step on your toes to reach the branch that needs to be pruned. How is your upper body strength? Maybe your grip and shoulder control are just fine, but could instead benefit from daily stretching to optimize flexibility and prevent injury, especially when you are regularly gardening, for instance. How is your endurance? If you feel your tolerance for activity is not to your standard, use the beautiful weather to venture on meditative walks. Remember, the mind and body are connected. On one hand, you can use this as an opportunity to check in with yourself. On the other hand, you are now walking longer distances, building up your stamina, and improving your cardiovascular health.
See the ongoing changes characteristic of the spring season as an opportunity to practice leaning into the unknown. Ask yourself what is actually within your control. With these thoughts and lessons in your pocket, try to accept all the various facets of yourself. Once you have done this, reflect upon your growth and what you can bring into summer. And if you do have goals related to your physical health and fitness, we can help you get there in the way that is most meaningful to you. What matters is building your resilience, and in order to do so, we have to remember to prioritize the mind the way we do the body.
