Resting injuries and maintaining sanity
Howdy folks,
My inner geek has been raging lately. Not that it had far to go, but it's really slipped over the edge this time- I've been studying math. For fun. I've been reading math books, studying geometry, doing those algebra word problems that seemed impossible in 8th grade. I even spent part of the summer studying logic games for an LSAT test I don't intend to take. For the record, I'm definitely not a "that side of the brain" person. I can't even remember which side of the brain that is. The last math class I passed was Algebra II in 10th grade. But it's much more interesting when nobody is making you do it. It's amazing to see the simple twist of logic that proves all triangles are 180 degrees; and the process of figuring out puzzles for myself gives me a nice even buzz of energy.
I've also been trying to spend more time writing lately (yes, I have a lot of free time). This, for me, takes more discipline than anything else I do. To sit in front of a blank page until I figure out something cohesive to say is much more difficult than having a book to push my thinking along. I've even found it much more difficult than getting myself in physical shape. But as with running, the hard part is getting started. Once I get into it, it's not bad, and when I finish I feel better all day.
The reason I bring all this up is that I often have people come in with injuries who say, "But I can't stop working out or I'll go crazy!" I can understand what they mean, but needless to say that's not an ideal place to be. If the desire to workout continually overrides the desire to listen to the body and be healthy, then something needs to be brought back in balance. Otherwise, the body stays stressed, injuries lead to injuries, and wear and tear may limit the number of years you can continue. For me, I think art and math are the key to finding that balance.
So if you find yourself needing to rest from your workout, here's something you might want to try: find something you are interested in studying, whether it's painting, writing, music, math, a foreign language, anatomy, or whatever. Make sure it is something that actively engages the brain, just as a workout engages your body. Then take the time you would normally spend working out, and divide it between stretching out (really listening to your body, and not agrivating the injury) and studying. Stretch 10 minutes or so, study 20 minutes or so, stretch again when you feel like it, study again when you feel like it. Just like when you began working out, it will take some discipline to start, but once you relax into it, I bet you will feel great afterwards, and recover from your injury quicker. You may even become addicted to math.
Take care and see you soon.
cam
PS- On another note, here's a little something in memory of two great singers. I stumbled on this last night, thinking it would be good for a laugh, but I'll be derned if it didn't just kick butt!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIyzNISw1Q
Cameron Aiken
www.cameronaiken.com
My inner geek has been raging lately. Not that it had far to go, but it's really slipped over the edge this time- I've been studying math. For fun. I've been reading math books, studying geometry, doing those algebra word problems that seemed impossible in 8th grade. I even spent part of the summer studying logic games for an LSAT test I don't intend to take. For the record, I'm definitely not a "that side of the brain" person. I can't even remember which side of the brain that is. The last math class I passed was Algebra II in 10th grade. But it's much more interesting when nobody is making you do it. It's amazing to see the simple twist of logic that proves all triangles are 180 degrees; and the process of figuring out puzzles for myself gives me a nice even buzz of energy.
I've also been trying to spend more time writing lately (yes, I have a lot of free time). This, for me, takes more discipline than anything else I do. To sit in front of a blank page until I figure out something cohesive to say is much more difficult than having a book to push my thinking along. I've even found it much more difficult than getting myself in physical shape. But as with running, the hard part is getting started. Once I get into it, it's not bad, and when I finish I feel better all day.
The reason I bring all this up is that I often have people come in with injuries who say, "But I can't stop working out or I'll go crazy!" I can understand what they mean, but needless to say that's not an ideal place to be. If the desire to workout continually overrides the desire to listen to the body and be healthy, then something needs to be brought back in balance. Otherwise, the body stays stressed, injuries lead to injuries, and wear and tear may limit the number of years you can continue. For me, I think art and math are the key to finding that balance.
So if you find yourself needing to rest from your workout, here's something you might want to try: find something you are interested in studying, whether it's painting, writing, music, math, a foreign language, anatomy, or whatever. Make sure it is something that actively engages the brain, just as a workout engages your body. Then take the time you would normally spend working out, and divide it between stretching out (really listening to your body, and not agrivating the injury) and studying. Stretch 10 minutes or so, study 20 minutes or so, stretch again when you feel like it, study again when you feel like it. Just like when you began working out, it will take some discipline to start, but once you relax into it, I bet you will feel great afterwards, and recover from your injury quicker. You may even become addicted to math.
Take care and see you soon.
cam
PS- On another note, here's a little something in memory of two great singers. I stumbled on this last night, thinking it would be good for a laugh, but I'll be derned if it didn't just kick butt!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIyzNISw1Q
Cameron Aiken
www.cameronaiken.com
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