There’s a saying about life that is all too familiar – “life is a journey, not a destination.” While we know it to be true, we mistakenly find ourselves treating our lives like that of a vacation. We have a beginning and an end. We drive for 12 hours to reach our destination – paradise. However, there is no real destination in life. Only moments. Our overall health and wellness is a journey, as well. There is no real destination, as maintaining wellness requires our daily effort. So, what happens when we hit a road bump in our wellness? Well, it’s important to remember that there are phases involved in restoring wellness after that road bump. Understanding this core principle will help make for a much smoother journey.
In an ideal world, we would always feel good, we would age gracefully, we would avoid any chronic conditions or injuries, but life happens. It’s unavoidable. However, we can get back on track if we give our body what it really needs to heal if we give it the time and effort it deserves. Let’s explain with a few examples:
- You overdo it in the yard and hurt your back.
- You play in a recreational softball league and injure your shoulder sliding into home.
- You are rear-ended in a minor car accident and your neck is sore.
- Work has gotten extremely busy over the past year. You’re sleeping less, experiencing more stress, not working out, putting on weight and eating poorly.
There are 3 phases of care when we hit that road bump in life. In the first phase, a person is seeking pain relief because it is very difficult to function when you are in pain. The second phase is focused on restoring function now that the pain has been properly addressed. And the last phase, phase three, is about maintenance. When you are once again back on your journey to wellness.
The next three blog posts will explore each phase in more depth. The goal is to fully understand and appreciate what needs to happen when you hit those road bumps on your journey. Just like preparing for vacation, having the essentials make for a more enjoyable experience. The same is true in maintaining optimal health and wellness. Proper planning makes life more enjoyable.
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