Getting Away - From Pain

Vacation - just the sound of it is relaxing. Other than taking some well deserved time off of work, what is it about getting some R&R that brings us such positive feelings?
One of the many benefits we find is that we may have less Tension-based pain. What is it about having time away that has the ability to reduce our chronic back, neck or shoulder pain?
There are so many uplifting qualities to a vacation/holiday that are restorative to the mind as well as the body.

CHANGE IN ROUTINE - Stepping out of our daily grind is a positive and uplifting experience. Not having to set an alarm clock, get up at the same time each day, travel the same route to work, or complete the same household chores on perhaps the same weekly schedule is a burden lifted, and can make life more interesting.

DISTRACTIONS - Going new places, taking on new adventures, eating different food, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures can wake up the mind, allow us to forget our problems for a bit, and make us feel more alive.

TIME TO REST - Allowing ourselves time to nap, rest, and get a full night's sleep is restorative to body and mind. Sleep deprivation is not only bad for us, but is actually dangerous. Plenty of quality sleep is the very foundation of good health, and well-being.

TIME TO REFLECT - When we find ourselves out of our day-to-day routine, we have to stop, and consider the present. That perspective about what is going on in our lives is valuable. What issues are we facing, what path are we going down, what is important to us, who is important in our lives, and what do we see and plan for in our future.

SLOWED SCHEDULE - Slowing our schedules down, and taking control of the way in which our day will unfold can give many of us an uplifting sense of power. We may feel that we are at the beck and call of others, and often dogged with obligations when we are at home in our daily lives. Deciding when to wake, and how to organize our day may fill us with sense of purpose and control.

TIME TO GET LOST IN THOUGHT - How often do we allow ourselves time to dream, dawdle in our thoughts, and think ‘what if’? When we give ourselves time away from our hectic daily existence, we make space for the kind of deep thought that allows us to invite positive change into our lives.
When we remove ourselves from our daily stressors, we often find that our chronic tension-based pain is diminished or it may disappear completely while we are away. If we are able to temporarily lessen, or dismiss our chronic pain when we travel or just take some time off, then that tells us we are able to control our Tension-based pain in some way. That can give us hope!
What’s the answer - a permanent vacation/holiday? It sounds good, but is not realistic for most of us. Instead, look at the restorative options above and imagine how you can weave some of them into your day-to-day.
Can you change your daily routine somehow, and take something out of your schedule, or say no to obligations, so you’ll have more time to rest, reflect, and dream? Removing the stress, and monotony out of life can be another powerful tool in the battle over Tension-based pain.

Peace

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