Someone asked me how do you exercise when you’re in pain…well…this is how I did it.
Baby steps…I was bedridden and in excruciating pain for over 2 years. My muscles totally atrophied. I started with rotating my ankles and wrists while laying in bed. I started with an exercycle on which I peddled for 15 seconds until I could peddle 30 seconds. (I got it for free on free cycle). Walking to the mailbox was an exciting workout for quite a while. Yoga has been wonderful…sometimes still I only do 5 or 10 minutes at a time…it continues to unfold….I did a lot of other things in baby step ways. Never pushing beyond what felt safe and comfortable.
I started everything in tiny bits in my own home. Much of that I still do in tiny bits in my own home. My nervous system remains delicate so even though my muscle strength has vastly improved I often still have to be very careful to not over do it.
- Yoga for challenged bodies — I found that classes are almost always too much (still). I have a home practice and then I can do as little or as much as feels right. Youtube is a great resource for free yoga videos
- Ecstatic dance — I started dancing for 2 or 3 minutes at a time in my living room long before I started going to community dances. Now I still often can’t manage a community dance and revert to my little bits in the house.
- Exercise is critical for mental well-being
- Exercise and diet, intro video
- Meditate while moving — gardening, cooking, walking, etc… — Mindful exercise to calm the body and soul
More: Information and inspiration for the chronically ill
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