Did you know that painkillers – both over the counter and prescription – are some of the best-selling drugs on the market?
Says a lot about our modern society, doesn’t it? Not only do we run ourselves ragged…but we are encouraged to medicate our pain away.
Some painkillers, such as aspirin, are touted for their benefits.
Aspirin does offer benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in men. It”s less clear whether women enjoy the same benefit relative to the risks.
But aspirin can also cause risks. It thins your blood, and makes your blood slower to clot. It can make stomach or digestive problems even worse.
And, if you are a Type O like me, you should probably avoid aspirin, because our blood tends to clot more slowly anyways.
Aspirin is a drug, just like many others. So I say use with caution.
It also scares me that new parents are encouraged to give their kids Tylenol, even if they aren’t in pain or don’t have fever.
I can’t tell you how many times a friend, or even my own mother, told me to give my son some Tylenol to help “settle him down” when he was a baby and toddler.
Yes, I know it works in a lot of kids. But do I really want to give my two-year-old a drug if he doesn’t need it? Why would I do this to him when I almost never take an aspirin or Tylenol myself?
Here’s the larger issue in my mind: the heavy use of aspirin and other painkillers in our society. Why do people have to take so many painkillers?
One reason is they don’t know how to relax and de-stress. Most headaches, backaches, joint aches and muscle aches are caused by stress and tension.
If your muscles and joints are tight, you are less resilient and resistant to the stress of modern living. It attacks you in your weak spots – your muscles, your joints, and your aching back.
This is one reasons why I created my “Dynamic Flexibility: The Secret To Healthy, Pain-Free Joints, Limber Muscles and Maximum Mobility”.
Most people don’t stretch enough, because the way they have been taught to stretch is boring, or because they don’t think they have the time for it.
But if you follow what I show you in Dynamic Flexibility, you’ll discover that improving your flexibility, joint health, and ability to relax can be rejuvenating, invigorating AND enjoyable.
I want to share with you a little habit that I developed over the years:
Every so often, even during the busiest work days, I take a minute or two to move and stretch. Sometimes I stretch in my chair; more often I stand up and stretch. And it makes all the difference in the world!
You see, I get a lot done during the course of a day, and I truly believe that my habit of stretching here and there during the day is a big reason why. It keeps me more relaxed and on an even keel, even during stressful days. And it allows me to keep on plugging away when most folks would have already turned off their computer.
Here’s a quote from Dr. Joyce Brothers, psychologist and advice columnist:
“No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could just find ways to relax for at least 5 minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.”
When you coax your body into relaxing and becoming looser,your nagging aches and pains naturally dissipate. And you have a vital reserve to help you better cope with life’s challenges and stressors – without resorting to painkillers.
It’s natural stress relief. AND it’s natural pain relief.
You Can Do It!
Karen
“Best Breathing Exercises: Transform Body Mind and Spirit with Dynamic Energy Exercise!” http://www.BestBreathingExercises.com
Copyright, Karen Van Ness, 2012