Much thanks for all of the music suggestions. I’ve already started listening to The Lumineers radio on Pandora. Can’t wait to check out some of the artists and download some of the songs you recommended! I love it when we can all information share like this. Just yesterday I finally orderd a new blow dryer based on your feedback!
Today I want to talk about taking care of yourself. I will never deny that I thrive on being busy but sometimes I have a tendancy to overextend myself. Recently, I’ve really tried to rein that in a bit. I’m working to get better at prioritizing and simplifying some things in my life. Over the last couple of months I have taken the following steps to create a better balance in my life:
– Eliminated most early morning workouts/classes from my schedule in order to allow for 7-8 hours (or more) of sleep per night. This is an improvement over the 5-6 that I averaged for years.
– Took a vacation!
– Took a break from teaching yoga at the studio (although I have been doing some subbing some classes here and there.)
– Embracing rest days, especially when they’re unplanned and I have to take them because my day gets crazy. I’m learning to cut myself some slack.
– Commited to focus on body work in order to feel better and move better.
Let’s get into the body work. I don’t blog about this because I don’t want to continually whine about it but my right hip has been bothering me for a really long time. It’s the main reason why I have cut back on running so much. I can do things like lift weights, practice yoga and other forms of cardio but running just really irritates it. I have so much tightness in the back side of my body – hamstrings, glutes, hips – and I know that the only way I can fix the issues is to commit to doing the body work.
Yesterday I started seeing a massage therapist again. She focuses on neuromuscular therapy so our sessions are not relaxing to say the least. It’s more like her talking to me to distract me as she digs deep, deep, deep into trigger points trying get them to release. There were literally moments when I wanted to cry and I’m so sore from it today but it was so worth it. I was able to run (granted it was only 400 meter sprints) with zero pain last night. It’s crazy because most of my pain/tightness is on my right side but the left is more painful to have worked. It’s called referred pain.
I’m going to see her weekly for a few weeks and then bi-weekly. The goal is to eventually move to monthly appointments. I believe that this is 100% worth the investment. No pill that I could take can help my muscles in the same way. This is why it is SO IMPORTANT to maintain a stretching and self-myofascial release (foam rolling) regimen.
The best thing about my therapist is that she uses coconut oil for the massage. It’s not just good for cooking with but as a moisturizer too! I’m not all greasy and in need of a shower when I finish. Instead, I have soft skin and I smell delightful! 🙂
While we’re on the topic of coconut, dinner last night was green coconut curry. I went over to a friend’s condo for Thai take out, wine, Olympics and amazing views.
Seriously amazing views. She just moved into a new place with two-story floor to ceiling windows. It was so nice just to stay in, catch up and hang out. And yay for the U.S. Women’s gymnastics team!
How do you dial it back when things get a little overwhelming? And do you believe in massage/body work?
