Let's make movement the new norm.
How much time have you lost scrolling through social media and thinking about how others have the things you want? The house, the family, the job, the body — the list goes on and on. In our brains, we know that a comparison game is not something we need to play, but our hearts and emotions aren’t so logical.
It’s common to want things others have, but we can’t allow ourselves to dwell on it. We don’t know what they’ve fully gone through to get those things, responsibilities, and bodies.
One thing I do know is that sitting on my phone or computer scrolling on social media isn’t helping me achieve my own goals. It not only steals my time, but it steals my contentment, motivation, and mental health.
I’ve learned that what goes into my mind directly affects how I treat those around me and myself. I’ve started changing my habits and environment to encourage myself to do what pushes me toward my goals—to move from being a consumer of other people’s work to taking action of my own.
So, how does this tie to physical therapy?
A large portion of physical therapy is getting the reps done. That means you need to find more time to do the reps, and the easiest way to do that is by reducing your time on social media or watching mindless entertainment. I choose to move instead of choosing to scroll.
This choice improves my mental health and my body, too. I no longer compare myself to others, and I’m substituting a negative set of habits for positive ones. These allow me to embrace who I am and build myself into who I want to be.
Only some comparisons are good, but only some people can use comparisons of others in a healthy way. So stop comparing yourself to others and inviting stress, anxiety, and negativity. These things prevent you from spending time doing things to improve — like getting your physical therapy exercises done.
Reducing social media time and replacing it with movement isn’t hard. Don’t make it complicated. Do one set right now. Do another in 30 minutes. Before you look at your phone or open your browser, do a set of exercises. Make your therapy reps the key to unlock your scrolling. You’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel physically and mentally when movement is sprinkled into your day and comparison is eliminated.
Schedule a conversation with Dr. Samantha to learn how she can help get you moving and reduce the pain, tightness or soreness you have.
