General Information
The human body is not designed to weather the physical seasons like those creatures in the natural world. Their bodies have learned to adapt to their climate. We, however, have relied on making intentional changes in our lives so that we can survive in the extremes of the seasons. This resilience has enabled humanity to inhabit every square inch of our planet. The key is resilience. This same capacity allows us to withstand the challenges to our physical lives as we go through the seasons of our daily living, as well.
Resilience can be understood as the ability to bounce, as in bounce back from difficult circumstances. Our bodies experience stress when we face great changes. Our immune system is less able to fight off infection. Our bodies may not work as effectively. We may have difficulty digesting our food or getting enough rest. Even when we are in the middle of a “good” season we may not be able to keep up, physically, with the demands that are being placed on us. As we move through these seasons, we will experience changes in how our bodies respond.
There are two primary ways we can enhance our capacity for physical resilience. The most effective is to be proactive. As we learn about ourselves and how our bodies react, we can take steps to lessen the effects of the change of the seasons in our life. If, for example, we know that we will have difficulty getting enough sleep when we are very busy with “Springtime-like living”, we can anticipate this by resting up before the season sets in. Or, when the “winter-time” appears on our horizon we can take steps to make sure we get things done so that we will not fall behind. By acting proactively in anticipation of the change in our daily living we can reduce the stress that change may force on us.
The second response is to be reactive to the changes wrought by the “seasons of living”. Either we were unable to see the change coming or we chose not to act in anticipation. A reactive response will seldom be as effective, but it can help us through. During a time of great energy and activity, a reactive response would be to step away for a brief respite. These mini-breaks can help you get through. Likewise, when we face a long cold season where we have little energy and less desire to do anything, we can find a hobby or some other diversion that we ramp up our doing. These brief breaks will allow us t, once again, get through. Do not expect these coping mechanisms to do away with eth effects of the change, but they can make life a bit more bearable.
By accepting responsibility for our physical wellness in good times and bad, we can act, either proactively or reactively, and continue to enjoy good, if not great, physical health.
Resilience can be understood as the ability to bounce, as in bounce back from difficult circumstances. Our bodies experience stress when we face great changes. Our immune system is less able to fight off infection. Our bodies may not work as effectively. We may have difficulty digesting our food or getting enough rest. Even when we are in the middle of a “good” season we may not be able to keep up, physically, with the demands that are being placed on us. As we move through these seasons, we will experience changes in how our bodies respond.
There are two primary ways we can enhance our capacity for physical resilience. The most effective is to be proactive. As we learn about ourselves and how our bodies react, we can take steps to lessen the effects of the change of the seasons in our life. If, for example, we know that we will have difficulty getting enough sleep when we are very busy with “Springtime-like living”, we can anticipate this by resting up before the season sets in. Or, when the “winter-time” appears on our horizon we can take steps to make sure we get things done so that we will not fall behind. By acting proactively in anticipation of the change in our daily living we can reduce the stress that change may force on us.
The second response is to be reactive to the changes wrought by the “seasons of living”. Either we were unable to see the change coming or we chose not to act in anticipation. A reactive response will seldom be as effective, but it can help us through. During a time of great energy and activity, a reactive response would be to step away for a brief respite. These mini-breaks can help you get through. Likewise, when we face a long cold season where we have little energy and less desire to do anything, we can find a hobby or some other diversion that we ramp up our doing. These brief breaks will allow us t, once again, get through. Do not expect these coping mechanisms to do away with eth effects of the change, but they can make life a bit more bearable.
By accepting responsibility for our physical wellness in good times and bad, we can act, either proactively or reactively, and continue to enjoy good, if not great, physical health.
Tip
Pay attention to your body. This may obvious, but many of our illnesses occur because we do not “pay attention.” We refuse to admit that we have a “cold” coming on. We believe that we are magically immune because an illness is not convenient at the moment. Or, we disregard the symptoms and push ourselves into illness. The first tip for Physical Self-care when experiencing changes in life’s seasons, is to recognize and listen your body. It will tell you what you need to do.
Give yourself permission to accept your physical limitations. Once again, this may seem obvious, but most people over estimate their physical stamina. We will push and push until our body says stop. In physical training, we are taught to push our muscles to just beneath to point of being stretched or torn. We gain speed by gradually increasing our distances. Few people run a 26.2-mile marathon as their first race. We train up our stamina. This will only succeed if we are able to accept our physical limitations and, by paying attention to our body, stop short of destructive behaviors.
Learn to read the seasons. As I suggested last week, be aware of the season and adjust your physical activities and expectations accordingly. Claim the gift of the season and reduce the effects of the challenges of the season. When illness leads you into a winter moment, allow yourself to rest with only brief break of activity. When you are feeling the warmth of a Summer Sun “shining in your life, take advantage of it and push yourself a bit more, recognizing that brief breaks will still be necessary. Read the seasons and live accordingly.
The Road to Resilience
Give yourself permission to accept your physical limitations. Once again, this may seem obvious, but most people over estimate their physical stamina. We will push and push until our body says stop. In physical training, we are taught to push our muscles to just beneath to point of being stretched or torn. We gain speed by gradually increasing our distances. Few people run a 26.2-mile marathon as their first race. We train up our stamina. This will only succeed if we are able to accept our physical limitations and, by paying attention to our body, stop short of destructive behaviors.
Learn to read the seasons. As I suggested last week, be aware of the season and adjust your physical activities and expectations accordingly. Claim the gift of the season and reduce the effects of the challenges of the season. When illness leads you into a winter moment, allow yourself to rest with only brief break of activity. When you are feeling the warmth of a Summer Sun “shining in your life, take advantage of it and push yourself a bit more, recognizing that brief breaks will still be necessary. Read the seasons and live accordingly.
The Road to Resilience
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