Summing Up 2022: A Time of Healing

“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity”. – Hippocrates

Yes, a time of healing! Many may not know that I have been recovering from a major car accident most of 2022. On Valentine’s day, my vehicle was hit by a driver making an illegal turn during rush hour traffic. In a just moment, I went from heading to work to being hospitalized with fractures to the rib cage, pelvic bone and right leg. Needless to say, this and a totaled car kept me off the road for a while. But, not being able to drive was least of my worries. First, lets acknowledge the pain. The pain of real breaks in multiple areas of my body. Yikes! You name it and there was pain….to sit up, talk, walk, laugh and breathe. Everything hurt, seriously. The pain of not being my independent self was also real. Needing anything from anyone is not my norm and was out of my comfort depending on others. For my basic needs to be met, I needed others, simply put. I couldn’t cook, clean, care for my pets, or travel to appointments without the help of those who cared about me. It was the love of friends and family, as well as the ability to surrender and be relentless that helped me through the trauma. I was reminded of the significance of grace, self-care, and positive thinking. It was a combination of factors that supported my healing and I’m glad to share it all with you as they are necessary beyond trauma. Because of these factors, I rebounded well and I’m grateful. Ultimately, I am thankful to have been able to celebrate another birthday, transition from doctoral student to doctoral candidate, see 20 years in my career as an educator and have you, my September Set family. As I say farewell to 2022, I am happy to enter a new year emboldened with gratitude. It is my hope that we all find ourselves wiser and stronger in 2023. Now, onward and upward!

Protect your energy

“Of one thing I am certain, the body is not the measure of healing, peace is the measure" (Phyllis McGinley). Cocooning myself not only helped with the healing process but it also helped me identify what wasn’t bringing good vibes. Anything and anyone that chose to induce struggle and tension presented danger to the healing process. Putting me first became a non-negotiable priority. As a result, my phone was constantly in silent mode with notifications off. I took a hiatus from social media, the news and anyone that seemed to have a hard time thinking beyond themselves. Removing toxic distractions was a necessity to attending to my own needs to appropriately heal.

R & R

“Healing requires from us to stop struggling, but to enjoy life more and endure it less." (Darina Stoyanova) According to Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, “while your catching z’s, your immune system does a system upgrade, using the downtime to calibrate its defense. Rest is integral to the healing process. Lack of sleep leaves people more susceptible to illness because the immune system doesn’t appropriately fight off the viruses and bacteria that it is constantly exposed to.” Try to aim for at least 6-8 hours of sleep daily. Don’t be afraid to meet your sleep quota and add extra rest on top of your bedtime regime. There is no such thing to heal appropriately without rest and adequate sleep. Being a “couch potato” can have its benefits from time to time, especially when healing.

♥️

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love”. (Hubert H. Humphrey) The humbling experience of being injured gives one an opportunity to witness the strength of their relationships. This applies to family, friends and even colleagues. Those who show up with sincere care and consideration will stand out in a big way, which is invaluable and essential to healing.

Mindfulness

“Every step taken in mindfulness brings us one step closer to healing ourselves and the planet.” (Thich Nhat Hanh) When injured, it’s you and your thoughts in bed together the entire time. Mindfulness in the form of breathing exercises, prayer and/or meditation can be helpful in regaining wellness, emotionally and physically.

Vitamins, Vitamins, Vitamins!

Yes, three times. I included a combination of three vitamin sources to aide in rebuilding my strength. A balanced diet, vitamin supplements and IV vitamin treatments were helpful in ensuring no vitamin deficiencies and rebuilding strength in my body.

Swimming

Workout your entire body with little resistance, while doing cardio and mindfulness exercises at the same time. Got to love the art of swimming. The healing power of exercising in water is remarkable. While swimming, I was reminded of the natural balance of going with the flow and hard work. A total mind/body experience, that brought me peace while strengthening my body.

Acupunture

The shock that the body experiences when wounded is not something to underestimate. One can literally feel out of sorts when rebuilding health. I found acupuncture helpful with addressing pain as well as assisting the body with getting closer to feeling sound and well.

Therapy

"Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion." - Buddha

When it comes to therapy, I’m not solely referring to a single type. Pycho-therapy, physical therapy, massage therapy and behavioral coaching…I’ll take it all! In fact, they were all helpful with restoring my wellness. Don’t be afraid to turn to several professionals and approaches that support emotional and physical health.