 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| Do the Math to Remove Obstacles to Wellness |
 |
by Matthew Goodemote MPT, Dip MDT - May 31, 2011
|
Addition and subtraction were part of what we all learned in elementary school. So we all know that if we add, we get more and if we subtract, we get less. But when it comes to Wellness, sometimes subtraction means that we actually get more. Often people promote the idea that the way to find physical well-being is to “add” something to the list of things we have to do, like eat healthy and exercise. But perhaps another way to look at it is to “take away” something, subtracting things but not by forcing or by giving ourselves something more to do. Subtracting as in taking away things to do and staying true to what really matters. Instead of waiting until we lose those few extra pounds we put our attention on where we are right now. Instead of planning and preparing we simply notice and slow down. Instead, perhaps we should all really take a minute just to take a minute.
Sometimes, we have to add before we can subtract. At the Wellness Center, we have implemented computerized documentation. When we started, this meant more to do as we all learned the new system. But there is a lot of good that has come from this. Now we are able to produce excellent documentation for the various insurances and eventually it will save on costs for paper because we will no longer need to have huge patient charts filled with former trees. In addition, our ability to communicate with the doctors referring patients to us is also going to get better and better.
Over this past weekend, I worked at getting caught up. I went in early and took a long break in the middle of the day to be with my family and went back again at night to finish writing my notes. I was able to put all my patients (expect for a handful that I will be discharging soon) on the computers, so I am finally caught up with this project. This is a very good thing. After months of a seemingly endless supply of charts and documentation changes…I am finally caught up…well at least as I write this I’m caught up. The pressure is similar to that feeling you get when you have wanted to get something done but events seemed to keep getting in the way.
After completing my tasks this weekend, I was met with a familiar feeling of excitement and energy about the up coming few months. Again, it is like that feeling when you accomplish something you have been working hard at and look forward to the relief it brings. The feeling of having extra time to do the things you really enjoy doing. I have been so bogged down dealing with insurances that I confess I overlooked some important aspects of my well-being, namely my own health, so now I can put my attention on that.
So as I said, I was reveling in that feeling of relief and satisfaction at a job completed at last. I was thinking about all the things I want to do for my health, now that I am caught up. But then a strange thing happened. I realized that my habit of putting more on my plate is a strong one. Wellness is not about adding more on your Things To Do list. Wellness is off the list, or at least should be. Wellness is not a task that requires effort and determination. Wellness is what happens when we remove the obstacles and allow the natural flow of life to lead us.
I know…I know…it isn’t possible because we will keep skipping the things we need to do to take care of ourselves. But read that again. We skip the things that help us and replace them with activities that don’t. Wow! That does not make a lot of sense.
Let’s dive in a bit deeper here. Well-being is that balance that happens when our mental/emotional, physical and spiritual aspects are a united working together.
Believe me, I notice the effects of effort in my life. It is hard work. But effort does not equal effective. Yes, I have put a lot of effort over these past few months, but had I simply removed some of the things that do not support my well-being, I might not have had the hole to climb out of. While I was working hard to get caught up, my attention was drawn to that imaginary date some time in the future where I would get things done and then I would have the time to have the time. But as soon as that day arrived, my first reaction was to find another thing to do. Sound familiar?
So my message is that Wellness is not found by adding more and more things to the list of things you have to do. Wellness is found by sticking to what matters most, finding the balance and simply being balanced. Then life will present the opportunities for action and without noticing life will be, as Winston Churchill is quoted as defining history as, “one damn thing after another!”
Life is meant to be lived. When our attention is stuck on the endless train of things to do, we miss out on the very thing we are working so hard to find time to enjoy. It simply does not make sense to ignore life so we can find life. It makes no sense to seek Wellness so much that we miss being well! So do the math and subtract instead of adding and adding. Remove the obstacles to Wellness.
Matthew Goodemote is the founder and owner of Community Physical Therapy & Wellness in Gloversville, NY. He has degrees in Exercise Science, Health Science, Physical Therapy, and he is one of just over 250 in the world with a Diploma from the McKenzie International Spine Institute. Matthew is recognized as an expert in the fields of Physical Therapy, orthopedics, spinal disorders, sports medicine, and wellness. He is routinely called upon to offer tips and suggestions relating to health and wellness. His unique approach makes him a highly sought after expert at different ends of the media spectrum. He has received requests to participate in studies for scientific journals, and to write articles for trade magazines and popular press magazines such as Fitness to offer proven recommendations that stand the test of time.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE
You must be logged in
to recommend articles
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
