As some of you may relate to, I recently pulled my shoulder holding my daughter as she slept. It was an old injury re-aggravated, nothing critical but definitely uncomfortable.
My first instinct was to tend to myself by resting. Stroller instead of carrier, no heavy lifting, good general self care with Epsom salts and a massage. It all helped, but the discomfort lingered.
Then this morning I went to a 90 minute power flow yoga class. I chose the class because it worked with my childcare schedule, fully prepared to sit out some of the more challenging poses.
Turns out the physical challenge was just what my body needed. It was challenging and I definitely worked up a sweat. Towards the end of class, we lay back in fish pose and something popped in my shoulder.
Bam. The discomfort melted away and my body found what it needed. Hours later, the discomfort that lingered all last week is gone.
It occurred to me that this experience offered a good reflection for how to deal with other sorts of discomfort.
Resting was probably the right thing to do at the start. When discomfort arises, often the best first response is to sit with it and be still. To tend to ourselves and be gentle.
Over time, it often serves us to push back into the discomfort. To see what needs to be released. And to put some effort into ourselves. To do the hard work of healing.
Where might you be resting where efforting would serve you best?