Tis the season for challenging driving, and I am grateful that I put winter tires on our car. There are a number of things I do to prepare for each new season, particularly winter. I make sure salt is on hand for the driveway and fill the windshield washer dispenser for our car. I make sure the snow shovel is handy and dig out winter boots and coats from storage.
Just as there are different requirements for different seasons in our year, there are different requirements for different seasons in our lives. Now that I am in my sixties, (I don’t know if you want to call that autumn or winter- I will leave that up to you) my body requires a little more maintenance than it did in its’ twenties. I can’t eat anything and everything that I want without gaining an ounce like I did as a teen. When snow comes down I plan on shovelling regularly before it gets too heavy rather than waiting until all the snow has fallen- like I did as a young home owner. My workouts require more warming up to prepare, and stretching during a cool down so that I’m not sore later.
This thought has led me to share with you the ultimate stretching tip. Members of my practice frequently ask me about stretches and exercises they do and “how long do I need to hold this” or “how many times”? The secret is not to time it or count the number of repetitions but to focus on the deep belly breaths you perform while maintaining the stretch. Too often people will stretch while holding their breath or breathing shallowly. Often they are unaware that they are even doing this! If breath is shallow, then the muscle will not be able to release properly. As you spend time breathing deeply with the muscle elongated in the stretched position, you will eventually feel the muscle relax and you will be able to sink deeper into the stretch after several (don’t count them) deep breaths.
If you would like to see some of the stretches and exercises we recommend at our office, check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@wellnessfamilycare4676
There are many things that may cause you to enter a new season in life. It may be related to your age, or it may be the result of a change in your life situation- a new baby, a job that requires more sitting, or a new hobby or sport that alter the stress your body experiences. In each new season, it is important to listen to your body and respond to the cues it sends you. Network care helps improve the brain-body connection so you can pay better attention to your body, respond and give it what it needs- whether it is rest, or stretching, adjusting your posture or drinking more water! Set up a time for your next appointment in the office.