The body keeps the score
Although sometimes I really wish it wouldn't
I write often about the mind/body connection, and I know that so many of you on here live, understand and relate to this intimately. Having been pretty ‘well’ for quite a few months, at times I feel myself almost forgetting what it feels like to have chronic health conditions. Almost…
Like most of us, I battle on two fronts - mental and physical. When my mental health is weak, but my physical health strong, I have become so much better at knowing what to do. I get outside, I run, I go to the lake, I reach out to my ‘safe’ people. I know it will pass, and I cling to the branches that reach out to me as I’m being swept away.
When my physical health is weak, however, that’s when the full force of the demons can be unleashed. Right now I am not as unwell as I have been in the past, nowhere near, but the toll of a hectic period of living life with ‘normal person’ energy now has to be paid. My fatigue is high, and fibro pains course through my limbs. As I woke this morning with an active and creative brain, my body would not allow me to do the things that help me thrive: the
Heartleap writing hour, followed by my twice weekly lake swim; go outside and work in a cafe; call friends. There is no energy for voice and little for movement. The impact on my mental health of not connecting, of not getting outside is hugely deleterious, yet I know that this too will pass.For now I will continue to cocoon and write myself gently back to wellness, but I wanted to share these two pieces with you, as they explain things far more articulately than I am able to right now. Wherever you find yourself, however your body and mind are treating you, know that you are not alone 🫶
This is the most vulnerable piece I have ever written. I was kinda glad when it when behind the archive paywall, but I have brought it back out in case there is someone out there who needs to read it, and feel less alone.
I actually came across this one, whilst I was searching for the one above and almost a year to the day later I find myself in an extraordinarily similar place. I even have Wimbledon tennis in the background. I feel strangely comforted by reminding myself that I have been here before, and it very much speaks to my current theme of ‘rest’. Perhaps you will relate.
I hope this helps someone out there today. I am with you.
As always,
Love & lemons 💕🍋
Em xx
Indeed the body keeps the score and as we find out as we grow older, sheer force of will cannot alter the need to listen to our bodies and rest., really rest not simply dropping one thing off the list. The self-imposed 'need' to do it all comes with a price. I know this from experience.
And for whomever needs to hear this, responding to comments is not 'rest'.
xx
It’s so important to rest when our body tells us (currently lying under a blanket with my dog! 😅). I find zoom meetings too much sometimes too, after 3 years of long covid which is now more like chronic fatigue as other symptoms have fallen away. It’s hard when we are expected to do normal body things in a weakened body. We need good awareness and boundaries. I don’t think being peri-menopause/menopause age helps either. 🙄🙏🏻