Pain That Has Not Yet Come is Avoidable

by Renee Downing E-RYT 500

I recently came across a quote from Leslie Kaminoff that has stuck with me. He said, “Pain means your system is working, not broken. It‘s sending you a message you can no longer afford to ignore.” I have found this to be so true throughout my life.

It’s easy to fall into that trap of feeling like your body is against you, or “broken” when there is constant pain. But the fact is a healthy body should not feel pain. When I am in pain, as hard as this has been to accept, it is always because of something I did or didn’t do.

Maybe I have been consuming too much inflammation causing sugar. Maybe dairy or wheat consumption is the culprit. Perhaps I am neglecting my exercise regime, or exercising too much, or with poor form. It could be that the weather has changed drastically, which I have no control over, but I do have control over monitoring the weather forecast and adjusting my routine as needed to accommodate Nature.

Am I working too many hours without balancing them with fun? Am I laying in bed and watching too much tv instead of practicing much more relaxing and rejuvenating meditation or pranayama? Am I screwing with my quality of sleep by holding that glaring electronic rectangle in front of my face right up until I turn the lights off and close my eyes?

Am I doing all of the above?

I can not think of one time I have gone through a period of pain and come out on the other side without at least an idea of how I could have better prevented it.
We can always take better care of ourselves. And taking better care of ourselves doesn’t have to be completely jarring from our current habits.

Be aware of what you are doing throughout the day. Be conscious of your posture as you move.

If you are fairly sedentary, make it a point to get up and move more often. Set reminders on your phone or computer if you have to. Take a yoga class. If you need accountability, get a friend to go with you, or reach out to your yoga teacher and tell her you’re coming to class, and then actually do it. Go for a walk around the block, or the house, or the cubicle.

If you are too active and high strung as a result, schedule in some time for relaxation (when is the last time you got a massage??). Meditate, breathe, journal, listen to relaxing music, take up gentle yoga, etc. Hell, scream into a pillow if it helps (it has helped this yogi many times in the past!)

Pay attention to your food when you eat. If you mindlessly snack on junk to tune out the world, find a healthier food to snack on, or, better yet, find an enjoyable way to destress that doesn’t involve food. If you consume a lot of sugar, or any other food that you know causes issues, start consuming less. Stay hydrated so your mind does not confuse thirst with hunger. Don’t eat a heavy meal right before bed.

If sleep is an issue, find ways to improve it. Go to bed and rise at the same time every day. Eliminate sensory stimulation in the bedroom. Stop consuming caffeine after a reasonable hour. Meditate before bed. Practice Yoga Nidra. Do some gentle stretching before bed. Invest in a high quality bed. Try CBD oil. Do whatever it takes and whatever works for you to get quality sleep.
These are just some of the things that have helped me in the past and currently.
It may not be easy to prevent pain, but it really can be quite simple.