🌻 Monday Health & Wellness

Healing Doesn’t Stop While We’re Waiting

There comes a point during a healing process when I believe we have to ask ourselves a very important question:

What can I safely do to help move my own healing forward?

Because sometimes we are waiting.

Waiting for the doctor’s appointment.

Waiting for the specialist.

Waiting for therapy.

Waiting for test results.

Waiting for someone to tell us what comes next.

And meanwhile…

Life is still happening.

I have learned this firsthand.

Appointments can be a month or more away. Therapy appointments may be sporadic. Sometimes you finally get an appointment only to learn that there will be another appointment, another test or another wait before you have answers.

Before you know it, six months have passed.

I am realizing more and more that while I absolutely need my doctors and their medical expertise, I also have a responsibility for what happens in between those appointments.

That doesn’t mean diagnosing myself.

It doesn’t mean ignoring medical advice.

And it certainly doesn’t mean doing something unsafe because I am impatient.

It means learning my body and asking:

What CAN I do?

Maybe healing requires eating more consistently.

Are you eating enough? Are you eating often enough? What foods provide your body with the nutrition it needs—and how can you find foods within those choices that you actually enjoy?

Because if somebody gives me a list of foods that I hate, how realistic is it that I’m going to eat that way every day? 😂

Maybe you need more water.

Maybe you need to look at what else you’re drinking throughout the day and decide what should be limited.

And then there is movement.

This has become a big one for me.

Move every day in whatever way is appropriate for your body.

But I am also learning that there may come a point when we have to push ourselves a little beyond what has become comfortable—without pushing beyond what is safe.

Maybe today it’s five steps.

Maybe eventually it’s ten.

Maybe it’s stretching.

Maybe it’s sitting instead of lying down.

Maybe it’s standing a little longer.

Maybe it’s doing the exercises your therapist gave you.

Maybe it’s walking from one room to another.

Little by little.

And let’s not forget rest.

Are you sleeping well?

What could you change in your environment or nighttime routine that might help you get more restful sleep?

Are you allowing yourself breaks during the day?

Sometimes healing requires movement.

Sometimes healing requires us to sit our butt down somewhere. 😂

Rest.

Breathe.

Clear your mind.

I believe mindfulness plays a huge role in recovery too.

Our minds and bodies aren’t operating separately. Fear, frustration, discouragement and constantly wondering when am I going to get better? can become exhausting.

Sometimes I have to bring myself back to today.

What does my body need today?

What am I capable of today?

What is one thing I can safely do today that may help me move forward?

I also think we need to be careful about comparing our healing journey with someone else’s.

We can learn from each other.

We can encourage each other.

We can share what helped us.

But somebody else’s timeline doesn’t have to become ours.

Healing is personal.

Different bodies.

Different circumstances.

Different illnesses.

Different injuries.

Different procedures.

Different resources.

Different support systems.

Different timelines.

Recovery is a process no matter what you’re healing from.

And I believe we have to want to participate in that process.

Doctors may guide us.

Therapists may teach us.

Medication may help us.

Procedures may be necessary.

Family and friends may support us.

But there are still choices we make every single day that can become part of our healing.

So, if you’re dealing with pain, recovering from a procedure, living with an illness or working your way back from something that changed your body…

How are you doing?

Do you have support at home?

Do you understand what your medical team has told you that you can safely do?

Are you nourishing yourself?

Drinking enough water?

Moving your body?

Resting?

Sleeping?

Taking breaks?

Breathing?

Paying attention to your mental and emotional well-being?

And most importantly…

Do you know what YOUR next step is?

Not somebody else’s.

Yours.

I don’t have all of my answers yet.

I’m still waiting on appointments. I’m still learning. I’m still paying attention to my body.

But I don’t want to spend all of that waiting time simply waiting.

I want to participate in my healing.

One decision.

One meal.

One glass of water.

One stretch.

One period of rest.

One mindful moment.

One step at a time.

How about you?

Let’s talk about it.
Let’s learn from each other.
Let’s support each other. 🌻

This is my personal perspective and lived experience. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare professionals regarding what is medically safe and appropriate for you.

From Flava In Her Tower 🌻🐆

Lady Flava Wellness 🌻