Every day things

How nice is it to lie down for a good nights sleep after a long day; to rest well and be recharged for the coming tasks of the new day. In the midst of your sleeping soundly, you need to turn from one side to the other. What do you do? After a restful nights sleep, you wake up and need to sit up so as to start your day. What do you do? You’re in the shower and you need to wash your feet. What do you do? Well if you are healthy, strong and flexible, all of these things are every day things that you do without a second thought. However what if you have some condition, which limits your ability to do these things easily, then, what do you do?

First you assess what your current physical condition is. Have you had any illnesses or injuries that have affected your ability to function normally? Ever sprain or strain a muscle participating in any sport? Ever slip and fall awkwardly? Ever been in an automobile accident? These kinds of things can cause small changes in the way your body moves, and over time those changes can create muscle imbalances, which lead to over use of some muscles and under use of others. The overused muscles become stronger while the underused become weaker. The evidence of this shows up when you participate in something that requires a balance of strength, using both sides of your body for an extended period of time. One side will weaken and give in to the stress of the task before the other side.


Can you turn from side to side while lying down? Can you sit up from a lying position? Are your abdominal muscles and core strength sufficient to allow you to turn or sit up easily and without pain? Is your lower back strong and flexible? Bending to your feet or bringing your feet to your hands requires flexibility and strength. Did you know that you are only as strong as your weakest muscles? If you bend or move in a particular way and at some point in that movement you pause due to pain or weakness, then this is an area you need to strengthen. No matter how strong the other muscles are, when you are in that particular position you are only as strong as that weaker muscle.


So much of our lives involve adapting to the present moments situation. Simple movements, complex movements, a fall, an accident or injury, a virus of some kind of, all these things cause our bodies to adapt to that present moment stress to be able to accomplish a particular task. Talk to any mentally or physically impaired person, anyone recovering from an automobile accident, or retired athlete from any sport and I am certain they will have some story of overcoming and adapting to life anew from that point. Our bodies are designed to serve us and if they are unable to do this in the “usual” way, they will find another way. I am reminded of a story on television years ago about a boy that walked on his hands and feet. He physically could not stand up strait because his body developed differently, yet he adapted and was able to take care of himself.

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Our bodies are wonderful creations, which allow us to do marvelous things. We need to understand our bodies, and create the best environment for them to do for us all that we want them to do. Being healthy is a choice, and a privilege. We are all aware that not everyone can sit up, stand up, and bend without issue, so taking time daily to insure your body is healthy flexible and strong is your responsibility. Take it seriously and be diligent with your maintenance and enjoy the benefits of being fit. Life is so much sweeter when doing every day things are easy.

Give yourself the best opportunity to have a healthy, happy, successful life by being in the best possible health. Take control of your destiny