Picture this: You've dressed to the hilt and ready for your first night out since...whenever. You give the sitter your last-minute instructions, then bend down to give Joshua a great big goodbye hug. That's when it happens: Your back muscles give way in a stab of pain. "Ouch" doesn't even begin to say it and, even as the pain eases, you're wondering how you'll make it out to the car. It's what we like to call a "Code Orange Moment."
The whole scenario shows how fragile our bodies can be. Lucky for you, there are a few simple things you can do to help keep a sudden flare-up of back pain from wrecking your plans.
First, make sure you're eating healthy. Your muscles need good nutrition to function properly. As you wince your way down the front steps, ask yourself if the time you might save with a fast-food lunch is worth the time you're losing right now?
Second, if you feel yourself tiring, take a moment to rest, stretch and reenergize. Voluntary rest every so often is the best way to avoid long term lay ups on doctor's orders. Regular exercise also helps keep muscles toned and ready for action.
Finally, take time off from worrying about every last problem in your life. It's often the best way to reduce stress and, ironically, actually have the peace of mind to deal creatively with the issue at hand.
With any luck, while your achy back is not quite "back" you're able to enjoy your night on the town with hubby-dada or a close friend you can swap parenting tips with. Or you know what? Forget about motherhood for a while and just be you.
How do you ensure your special plans aren't spoiled by muscle pain? Do you have a workout routine you can squeeze in during nap time or on your lunch break? What do you do to keep repetitive tasks at work from cramping your muscles and your style?
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 9
My tricks are stretching EVERY day. I don't get to exercise every day with 2 small children (or are they my exercise workout?!?), but stretching is key to keeping the pains away. Every morning I need to stretch my back, legs and neck to be able to keep up with the little tykes. Yoga every day would be ideal, but if I can squeeze in a yoga routine 3 times a week, I won't hurt the whole week. I'm currently getting in yoga 2x a month on average. :-(
Sometimes, though, it is necessary to take Motrin, since I need to be able to function and stand to prepare dinner. So, Code Orange moments are a definite in my house.
My 78 year old neighbor, however, told me that she still gardens (on her five acres) by taking a motrin before she does her two-hour morning tasks. She's in better shape than I am, never seems to have an ache or pain, so it must be a pretty good plan. :)
One simple thing to do is to strengthen your core stabilizing muscles. This is what Pilate's focuses on. If you can't set aside time to do a Pilate's workout, simply get an exercise ball and do some daily activities on it. This will help slowly strengthen those muscles too. For example, fold you laundry, work on the computer, and even play with your kids while sitting on a stabilization exercise ball. If your kids get to play with a ball, why not you too!