In need of some rest and relaxation?

A common topic of conversation in clinic this week, has been how pushed for time we are and how we tend to put ourselves last. Certainly this time of year affects people with the clocks changing and the run up to Christmas, but I think it’s something that is happening regardless. For some reason, we seem to think that looking after ourselves is frivolous or unnecessary, but this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Often when people come to visit me, we can trace the aches and pains they’re getting back to something to do with their lifestyle or the effects of stress. This could range from tension headaches and shoulder pain from tight muscles, to low back pain or digestive problems. I always aim to find the underlying cause of physical problems and anything that exacerbates them, because only then can we form a plan to stop them happening again.

Managing a healthy work/life balance is essential for emotional wellbeing and physical health. At the end of the day, will we all look back on our lives and be glad we worked ridiculous hours at that job we didn’t like? My guess is you’re shaking your head! If you don’t enjoy your job, explore other options. If the hours you have to commit are too much, negotiate different hours or fewer duties. Make your work part of your life, rather than all of it. Make time for a hobby you enjoy and make that as non-negotiable in the diary as a work appointment.

In times when stress is unavoidable, you can at least minimise the effect it has on you physically. Meditation and deep breathing techniques provide a great way to distract you and get those happy hormones flowing. Counselling and other talking therapies can be very effective or just talking to a friend or relative you trust. Exercise is proven to be great at relieving stress and can even help depression. Get outdoors for some fresh air and a change of scenery. Why not even take up a creative hobby to give you some ‘down time’?

Technology, as amazing as it is, definitely creates problems. We are constantly ‘contactable’ now, which means we’re always expected to reply to a call or email instantly. It can feel impossible to spend time away from phones and laptops, but that’s exactly what we need. Not only physically, with poor posture from sitting at a desk and ‘text neck’, but emotionally too. Our mind needs time without stimulation, without the bright light of screens and without the pressure. Give yourself a break by having a time in the evening where you stop looking at those texts and emails- chances are they can wait until morning without a problem!

So if you’ve been feeling pushed for time, run down and feeling the physical effects of stress recently, take this as a nudge to stop and give yourself some TLC this weekend! Let me know what you get up to and how it made you feel in the comments below. If you feel you need some help with aches/pains or the effects of stress, please do get in touch. Enjoy!

Zoë Clark is a registered osteopath trained at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London.
Practicing in Howe, near Norwich (01508 558373) and Burston, near Diss, Norfolk (07543 557746).