What I learned about self care for neck and shoulder pain as an artist.
Read MoreSmooth Move
Story time.
first of all, I understand now, that the bane of my existence, the thing that makes me feel the most disgusting and irritable, is when I have a full gut and no relief.
So knowing this about myself now, I decided to take some "smooth move" tea to usher things along. You see, the night before, I'd gone to dinner with friends and eaten a HUGE bowl of gluten free pasta, which still has the ability to stick to your insides, though GF. Well, the morning passes and all was quiet. My brain was still a bit foggy so I tried to drink lots of water before heading to improv class.
From thesixfifty.com
An hour into class the tea kicked in. Thing is, my nerves are already bad. Standing up in front of a class and having to just jump into a scene tickles my bowels already, so this extra "magical tea" stopped me dead in my tracks. No, I didn't go in my pants, but I nearly did.
Rushing to the rest room, I promised to myself I wouldn't drink that tea on an improv day again, and by golly, I would need to cool it with the pasta.
The rest of the class I probably escaped to the restroom 4 times (it's a 3 hour class), thankful that I wasn't sick, just that my body was ready to detox. And at the improv jam after class, as if from my digestion angels, the theme was "shitting one's pants". Thank you angels for reminding me what could have happened but did not, and for that I am grateful.
Yes, this story is a bit icktastic and goofy, but I have a serious thought after reminiscing. What we eat affects us so deeply. I look at friends and family, and everyone's experiences with foods that bother them, but some people might be chronically bothered and not even know it. They might be in pain, a dull pain, but have no idea that it doesn't need to be their normal.
From Constantweightloss.com
Did you know there are studies linking depression to diet? "Duh," you might say, but are we taking action with this information? It's a difficult thing to tackle, when food is so addictive and the processed stuff is more available than anything fresh, but it's the simplest, cheapest way to work with mental illness. Notice I did not say cure. But taking care of your body IS taking care of your mind, and it could change everything. It could be the cure you're looking for.
So I will be your poop angel today, reminding you there is much to be grateful for, and that there's also a divine call: Eat as close to the earth as you can, ditch the processed junk, and move our body. Your limbs and lobes will thank you for it.
From https://imgur.com/gallery/TboqB
Sitting Disease
I was in a lecture a few Tuesdays ago, and the teacher mentioned sitting disease.
"Of course, we all have it. And we have to be very careful to move the body more," He said. "Now the next thing we can do to detox the body is...."
I sat there (not helping!) and thought about this as he lectured further. My hips were always tight these days. My metabolism had tanked since I stopped riding my bike to work a couple years ago and began freelancing, thus making it hard to loose weight. I don't have my standing desk any more, too. GOSH. I AM SITTING ALL THE TIME. No wonder things are going haywire.
Just this last week and a half, I took I took time off from work. Today is my very last of this "staycation". I didn't sit down much the last 10 days, instead, I walked along the beach, the pier, around museums, in and around parks. Although I didn't do a ton of vigerous exercise, I moved my body for the majority of the day, and felt amazing.
When I walked up the stairs in my house this morning, I felt a lightness that hadn't been there. My knees and hips didn't hurt! Whaaaatttt???
Since October of last year, I've had some weird issues with knee pain and weak behind muscles. I couldn't figure out why, with all the yoga and sometimes runnind, why my legs were breaking.
This brilliant infographic from juststand.org might shed light on why, if you sit for work all day, you feel crappy like I do. I'm commited to try and sit only 3-4 hours a day, rather than the average 7. My desk is taller as of one day ago (suitable for standing), my chair is a stand/sit combo chair (aka stool) which allows me to use it for support but not for sinking into, and I will march while I watch new episodes of Big Mouth if I must!
I love my hips and knees, and I'm so thankful to feel them loosen up after a crunchy 9 months. I must protect them!
Do you have a walking pracice? Use a standing desk? Take an evening walk every day?
Let me know!
IN OTHER NEWS...
Been working on a pattern for a podcast I recently joined about Disneyland attractions, called The Back Side of Water. In a past life I was a jungle cruise skipper and a mountaineer on Big Thunder Mountain with the other cohost, Alex Stewart. We're making some swag for the listeners. I love painting treats as they are so brightly colored and beautiful, and make my mouth water. Total sugar seduction.
Swag will be available June 15th!
"Sugar Rush" print of treats found at Disneyland.
Annie is an author and illustrator with books available on Amazon and local book stores. She is open for commission, too! She lives in California, and loves tea, bike rides, reading, and exploring new places.