Forced to Rest
Let’s be real. Sometimes you have to be forced to rest. This should not be a thing right? But it happens more than you realize. It happened to me this week.
Back story.
I am very active, not just in my job but overall. I don’t sit for long. Watching TV without being involved in something else is rare, if I’m in bed it must bedtime or nap time, otherwise I’m doing something, cleaning, vacuuming, or dancing by myself.
Recently I had a procedure called a Midurethral Sling, I call it a bladder hammock. Basically this procedure makes it possible for women to have support when the pelvic floor has weakened and things like coughing, sneezing, jumping or running cause the bladder to leak. Nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide. There are many reasons why the pelvic floor is weak. Afterall, it’s just a muscle and overtime, well things deteriorate. Worse if you’ve had children, surgeries or other pelvic floor related trauma. My primary goals is to run dry, hence the hashtag #rundry.
After the procedure, which is a 30-45 minute process and 4-5 hours in the hospital, you are home the same day. Recommendations are to rest, walking is good, eat and make sure you can eliminate what you drink and eat. How long? I ask… at least a week says the doc. OK I can do a week. Then she says the rest, which I knew going in but clearly needed a post op reminder: No lifting over 10 lbs, no running, swimming, sit ups, hip bridges, hinging forward, squating, lunges, so basically just don’t exercise Terie. Wait what? But that’s what I do for a living and also what I do for fun.
Well you have to take the good with the bad and is resting really that bad? Will your people not understand? Is it the end of the world? No. It’s all good. I can and will do this.
Honestly, it’s just me and my head and my need to do everything. Well I am following all the rules because if I don’t I wont heal properly and I’ll be back in the OR. I have 2 AMAZING trainers covering my camps this week and I plan to have other people demo for me next week. This resting thing is pretty great. I’m catching up on emails, connecting with clients, campers, and friends. Getting creative with some marketing events and watching reruns and movies on HULU, AppleTV and PrimeVideo. It helps that I work for me, from home and all I need is my devices to keep me going. Side gigs are life right now.
I’m happy to say that today is day 2 of me doing almost nothing physical and I made it. Taking a walk, breathing the fresh air, and feeling the sun in my face will be good for me and my health.
REST should not have to be forced on anyone. But I have heard from so many that they feel guilty when they are doing nothing. That they feel guilty when they indulge in something for themselves when others need their time. That is not an OK way to feel and it is a sad state to think that putting the oxygen mask on everyone first is the way to really survive that hard landing because friends, those people you are masking first WILL mask themselves first before coming to YOUR aid.
You’ve heard it before, it’s been said. You can’t pour from an empty cup. You wake up early to help the kids or get ready for work? Drink your water and take 2 minutes to stretch your body. Carve out 30 minutes to move and you’ll have more energy and sleep better. Get a physical, before you get sick. Take yourself out for coffee, a movie, dinner. Make time to just be in your own thoughts through journaling, reading, or enjoying a show.
So ladies, look in the mirror and repeat after me “Today I promise to take care of me first so that I can take care of other.” “TODAY I come first.” Gentlemen, this goes for you too if this is who you are. Self Care is NOT selfish. It’s the exact opposite.
Go do something just for you. It doesn’t have to be big. One minute meditation, 3 minute morning stretch, 5 min walk, it’s that simple.
Would love to hear from you and your experience with forced rest, self care, and this new hammock situation. What are some things you are doing or want to do just for you?
Terie
