Archive for the ‘Flexibility’ Category
Stress and Your Mobility
Published by kmrivardStress. We all face it. We all handle it in different ways. Some can take it in stride, and some need ways to “cope.” Some people internalize it and lock it up. Others carry their stress in their body or even take it out on the people around them. Well, proper stress management can influence your life in many different ways. It can influence your mobility, as well.
Things have been particularly stressful for me lately. Stress is hard for me, because some bad habits are associated with it; sometimes my old caffeine addiction rears its ugly head. Sometimes I have the desire to turn to comfort foods. For me, the biggest problem with stress, however, is my sleep cycle. Stress can really mess with a person’s ability to get good restful sleep, and that can in turn impact your body’s well-being. You may not think that mental or emotional stress can influence your knees. However, if you aren’t getting sufficient rest, your body will take the brunt of it.
Another problem with stress is the possibility of muscle tension. When things get very stressful, I have horrible tension in my back. This in turn influences the way my entire body feels and moves. I know I don’t always handle stress the best, and I think understanding how stress works with (and against) my body is a valuable tool to maintaining a good grip on both my health and my sanity.
Stressful times also generally mean you’re up and going more, for longer periods. While this wouldn’t necessarily be back if you could guarantee good rest and easy movement, this can compound problems like soreness, stiffness, and exhaustion.
So, next time things get a bit hectic and you’re at your wit’s end, remember how stress and influence your “get up and go.” Find ways to check your stress. Make some “you” time to unwind, relax, and blow off some steam. It may not seem immediately clear, but your joints need you to get some mental downtime, too.
Spring Into Flexibility
Published by kmrivardClichés aside, spring is here. This means that people are attempting to thaw themselves out and work their way out of the achy joints that are often associated with winter. No matter what the cause of your joint pain is, winter is a rough time. Old injuries, new injuries, arthritis, and other problems can act up.
Spring is definitely a time to stretch out and try to get back into a warm-weather groove. However, some people may see a “worse before better” effect in regards to their comfort levels. The dampness can be hard on some folks, and the sudden fluctuations between warmish and coldish can be tough. So, how do you find joint pain relief in times like this?
For one, activity is a great way. Indoor or outdoor, it’s always good to get up and move. Shake the winter blues off with a walk in the park. Many of my friends have already hit the golf course once or twice, on the unexpected warm and sunny days. It’s also the time of year to start working out in the garden. Clearing out piled leaves, pulling last year’s mums, nurturing sprouting perennials, planting fresh bulbs, seeds, and plants…all of these add up to be great exercise. They’re also likely to be very personally fulfilling.
Eating right is always a good idea, but if you want that extra energy to get going this spring, it’s even more important. Dark, leafy greens and plenty of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables are vital. These foods are rich in the antioxidants and energy that your body needs to push past the wintery joint pain and into activity.
Even if it’s coming in like a lion, spring is upon us. Shake some flexibility back into your lifestyle and combat achy joints! It’s only the start of the outdoor season, make a habit of taking full advantage!
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