As a middle-aged woman, my body has spent the past few years reminding me in various unpleasant, debilitating, ‘will you just stop, rest and recover’ ways, that I have allowed my mind to overrule my body’s needs for way too long. My body is no longer taking ‘no’ for an answer. I don’t have the energy levels I did and I can no longer constantly ignore my body without consequences. If only I had learned this before middle age, my body may not have had to take me to task so forcefully.
When I first felt the effects of entering middle age, I was totally pro all my changing tastes. Whether it was favouring early nights in, blankets, flasks, walking, National Trust places, all things David Attenborough, Tupperware, Pilates, big pants; think Bridget Jones but bigger (tmi?), gardening and even watching the wildlife in the garden, I embraced it all. Isn’t middle age fun I thought. (I’m not saying those under middle age can’t enjoy all the above just that I was a slow starter on all fronts).
However, when my body started showing signs of not being so bounce-back-without-effect-able, I was less than enthused. I started to recognise that a late night (even without alcohol; nearly 20 years sober and never missed it) could leave me feeling like shite the next day. And that I started making those groans that I always associated with ‘old people’ every time I stand up or walk downstairs etc. Then when the hormones started playing up more than most internet providers, while I still needed to function, I started to have a serious sense of humour failure. And that whole falling asleep while watching TV in the evenings? I thought that was strictly something that only happened to grandparents. Then I realised I’m old enough to be one even if I didn’t get my shit together in time to have kids.
Anyway, all that aside, what I am now learning is my body will not go on forever. My ailments and signs of wear/tear/abuse are no longer ignorable and only going in one direction. All of which means I need to start caring for and maintaining it way better than I have. Sure, I love nutritious food (and cake and crisps) and I genuinely love exercise but this rest malarkey and slowing down are proving tricksy to master without learning the hard way.
The upside of all this middle-aging is that I am starting to ease up on myself. The default still drags me back to ‘overdoing’ but when I do remember and allow myself to stop, rest and be, I really enjoy it and wonder why I didn’t do it earlier!
So, to this end, as I seek to support my body with all manner of ‘looking after the body’ treats, I will share these on this weekly blog. I’m also looking to introduce some of the wonderful local people who offer these.
If you are interested in learning how to listen to and look after your body better, please check in each week to see what I am flagging up. If you offer some of these services and would like to write a little blurb in one of my posts, please get in contact and let me know at jo.loach@gmail.com.
Here’s a sneak pre-view of some of the stuff I’ll be speaking about here:
- Massage; deep tissue/aromatherapy
- Pilates / Yoga
- Breathwork
- Sound baths
- 5 Rhythms/Open movement
- Kinesiology
- Reflexology
For anyone thinking that this all sounds expensive, as a non-smoking, non-drinker, this is what I invest that cash in. But, I’ll also be talking about some of the many free activities we can engage with to sooth, slow down and calm our often-knackered body’s and shut off our usually-overactive minds.
Arlesey has many beautiful fields, water spots and the like that are great for soothing the senses and soul.
Until next time, look after yourself; mind AND body … it is a privilege to age and not for the humourless.