If you have followed my personal journey at all, you may know that I recently had major surgery. Although it has been 3 weeks, I still experience a lot of pain. I have so many things I need to do (not physical stuff: that I have to delay for now), but when there is pain, my brain doesn’t work. The brief moments of time when I don’t have pain are times when my brain is clear, I can think and be productive.
Since pain is such a part of my life currently, it got me thinking about how pain controls us.
If you are a woman over 50, there is a high likelihood you might be dealing with some form of pain. Maybe it is musculoskeletal. Maybe it is emotional or mental. Maybe other health issues that are a pain to deal with. Or something else. Could even be musculoskeletal pain brought on by stress (yes I’ve had that as well! Actually, I’ve dealt with pain since I was a kid, primarily musculoskeletal!)
Sometimes the pain is because we are in the acute healing phase post surgery to get to a better situation (like me now, and in the past with other surgeries).
Sometimes it is the condition that needs to be fixed.
So the questions to ask are:
- What is causing the pain?
- How do you get out of it?
In a situation like my current one, I need to rest, take meds and do whatever is needed to ensure proper healing.
But if the pain is what you are living with on a daily basis,
- Do you know why you are having that pain?
- And how can you get out of it?
Often excess body weight is the root of a lot of chronic pain such as:
- Joint pain
- Chronic health issues that lead to a host of other symptoms and conditions
What kind of pain are YOU dealing with in your life?
Is that pain so overbearing that it consumes your life?
Reduces it to just pain management?
Limits your activities?
Limits your enjoyment of life?
Prevents you from living your best life?
Optimizing your health?
So, how do you get out of it?
Is medication your only choice?
Do you just want to numb pain, or live with vitality?
You may say, “Priya, you don’t know what MY life is like”.
You are right!
I don’t know each one’s story.
But I do know the story of many women over 50.
Dealing with frustration, dejection, hopelessness!
The pain of feeling alienated and rejected because of their health and their bodies.
The pain of shame and self hate.
Ladies, I want to encourage you FIRST of all, to LOVE YOURSELVES.
We care for those we love. So until you don’t love yourself, you won’t care for yourself.
Then, look for SOLUTIONS that are more long term.
That will help you live a fuller and more joy filled life.
And if you think I might be able to help, reach out to me.
Hugs to you!