The superior man respectfully appreciates the cycles of increase and decrease… External ploys will not put an end to the natural cycle of deterioration.  Time will.  Nurture your mind and body… Look for wisdom in your acceptance of the times.

– I Ching, No. 23

Are you injured, physically or mentally?

Do not ignore injury.  Whether you are experiencing physical or mental pain, injury is your body’s way of crying out, “Attention!  Something is not right!”  You need to take a break, professionally and socially, to reevaluate what your are doing and what you need to be doing.

Do you need to decrease the volume of your exercise sessions while increasing the quality of each session?

Do you need to use a vacation or sick day to allow your mind and body to recover from job stress?

When faced with injury your body progresses through 5 stages of adjustment to the injury:

1. Denial:  “No, not me – there’s no problem.  It’s not that serious.”
   
2. Anger:  “Why me, why now? Damn it!“
3. Bargain:  “If I recover, I’ll never….” hoping the pain will subside.
4. Depression:  Realization that nothing can be done, creating self-pity.
5. Acceptance:  “I’m injured, but I must get on with me life; besides, I could use the rest.”  True healing arrives.

Treatment for Injury:  Physical and Mental

Visualization:  Research studies found a strong correlation between positive treatment results and positive attitudes in patients who apply mental imagery.  Visualizing happy, feel-good images decreases the fear and anxiety associated with an injury that limits blood flow to an injured area and delays the healing process.  Without fear and anxiety, visualization and relaxation promotes normal blood circulation and aids the healing process.

• Relax to decrease stress and allow your body to function normally.
• Visualize to send messages to your brain, stimulating your body to heal.

 Affirmations for Healing Injury

“Every day, in every way, I get healthier and healthier.”

“Health is me – I am injury free.”

“My limber, flexible self restores itself to health.”

“Let go as the healing juices flow.”

“My injury is an opportunity for me to learn what I need to do.”

“I am a strong, healthy, vibrant individual.”

“Individuals who stay well, play well.”

Laughter is Medicine

Laughter produces a “feeling of health through the furtherance of the vital bodily processes.” – Immanuel Kant

Laughter aids in the healing of terminal illness.  Norman Cousins (of the book and movie, “Anatomy of an Illness”) used applied laughter’s healing power in his own life.  After watching “Laurel and Hardy,” “Abbott and Costello,” and “The Three Stooges,” among other comedic films (and consuming large doses of vitamin C), he concluded that 10 minutes of belly laughter provided him with two hours of pain-free sleep.  His large doses of comedy continued after remission and his health improved. 

Happiness is a habit.  

Cultivate happiness and it will help  you prevent and treat injury.

Focus on the positive impact of injury or illness instead of the negative.

So, sit back, relax, and watch your favorite comic flick.

Reference:

Al Huang, C. & Lynch, J (1992).  Thinking Body Dancing Mind: Tao Sports for Extraordinary Performance in Athletics, Business, and Life. New York, NY: Bantam Books.