Getting Back on Track

Expert Contribution by Matthew Riordan, Professional Physical Therapy & Training

As I write this in March, we are in the midst of social distancing and possibly quarantining. I’m hopeful that by the time this is published in May, our lives will be getting back on track and return to some level of normalcy with an opportunity to be in some ways even better than before.

There is no doubt that there are going to be secondary effects of this pandemic, both negative and positive. Trying times can actually bring out the best in some people. Renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung stated “Man needs difficulties; they are necessary for health.”

Some of the positive secondary effects I’ve noticed and hope will continue include seeing entire families walking together, a break from the norm of being over-scheduled and kids having adequate time to recover from playing multiple overlapping sports. A real positive would be the realization of the detrimental effects on health and family due to commuting up to three hours per day and therefore igniting a change in life/work balance.

I’m certain that many have already undergone detrimental secondary effects. Prolonged stress of this pandemic keeps people in their parasympathetic system, otherwise known as the fight or flight response. This causes increased levels of harmful hormone secretion such as cortisol. Cortisol can alter respiration, sleep, metabolism, weight gain, elevate blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as well as increased muscle tension creating aches, pains and slow recovery. This can be a vicious cycle which can leave you feeling, well, just off with everything, not even knowing what is actually wrong or how to even begin to get out of it. Additionally, being cooped up at home with your muscles and joints getting stiffer and seizing up more and more each day compounds this problem.

Here are a few simple, basic, yet very effective tips for getting back on track. Slow, controlled, deep breathing can start to shift you from fight or flight mode back to your sympathetic or a more relaxed and efficient state. Don’t just jump back into the same routine. Get yourself going with basic moves and a stretching program. We have lots of great free programs at www.FeelBetterWithPT.com

This past month has taught us that health is wealth and should always be a priority. Don’t fall back in the habit of ignoring those aches and pains until there is a real problem.

If you need help getting back on track or are just not feeling right, we are here to help you. Our specialists can assess and customize a plan for you to get back on track and feel better again. We would also like to extend our thanks and appreciation to our first responders, frontline healthcare workers and teachers and provide them with some extra special attention.

We are here to help you. Visit www.FeelBetterWithPT.com to find out more. Speak with a specialist at 973-270-7417 or even stop in and see us within the Madison Area YMCA.