“I think you’re over doing it, you need to rest more!” - You look busy!” - “Wow! I don’t know how you fit it all in”...
I’ve noticed these things being said to me frequently lately...a little too much. And my response is: “Well, I enjoy being busy” - “I’ve just gotta make it happen” - “I’ve said ‘yes’ to doing it, so I’m doing it”.
Isn’t everyone in the same boat? Simply, over doing things? But the hard truth is, with my ‘busy lifestyle’ - rushing around driving to gigs, teaching a variety of students in several schools, University lecturing, plus private vocal coaching as well as jumping on planes to sing abroad lately (all very exciting - most definitely!)
But, the work load has been taking its toll on my body.
Due to a injury (I’ve had coming up to ten years now?!) with my intercostal muscles surrounding my diaphragm and sternum (not good if you’re a singer by the way?!) - rushing around over the years has caused more injury through work-load stress.
When I first ‘did it’, A+E just told me I’d just “have to live with it” and “wait for it to heal over”....it’s something I’ve come to terms with, living with a scar tissue injury.
But, I need to be careful I don’t ‘over do it’ all the time, just incase it ‘goes again’. But that part is tricky! Busy life, gotta keep going - strive forward.
I’ve recently started seeing a specialist Oesopath, Robert Kulesza - he is literally incredible!
He reminds me on a weekly basis that I’m “over doing it!” There are those words again...
When I first started working with him, he told me my adrennoids were too high, my liver was inflamed and my diaphragm was locked!? I literally had no idea. I just knew that my chest was splitting far too much, too frequently and I was in pain, a lot - not nice!
So I needed (and still need to!) do something about it. I sometimes have to gig with the chest pain, but you have to keep going and make it happen. In that circumstance I tell myself: “The show must go on!”
** I wonder if anyone else has this problem?! Scar tissue around the ribs, that ‘rip’ now and again, whenever and wherever? **
I often ask myself “but how can I stop?!” I’m in the middle of Term time - I’ve got responsibilities, I’ve got teaching, I’ve work work to do! I’ve got gigs, I’ve got to drive.
I’m doing what I want with my life - my passion, a job I love and always want to do.
I’ve stopped having coffee (due to Oestopath recommendation) and that has actually helped tremendously. I thought I always needed it to ‘keep me going’ - but five weeks strong without it and I’m feeling more alert and ‘buzzy’ than ever. I’m taking cod liver oil tablets (for my joints), milk thistle too (for my liver).
My body alignment is so much better with dedicated Oesopath sessions, but most importantly, I’m continuing with the exercises and techniques suggested on a day to day basis. You only get one body - look after it!
And a new recommendation - YOGA!!!!!!! Wow, what a recent change in my breathing and self-awareness! I’ve recently tried out ‘Yoga with Nirosha’ in Twickenham. An hour and a half class on a Tuesday - beautiful, and what a difference can make with just one session.
I’m more conscious than ever of my eating habits (no rice, no crisps?!), giving myself enough sleep and selecting special times to stop and breathe to help unlock my back and diaphragm - amazing! It really is working.
Look after yourself everyone, we can all try but sometimes your body has to interven and tell you physically!
I feel I’m on the right track now and aim to make my work-load better and easier again next Term. It’s Easter now, whooooooo! Time to rest and re-cooperate! 💚
Oooooh, I’m on the look for more Yoga classes in West London/Central London area, if anyone has any recommendations? Plus yoga/food videos/articles. Would love to hear from you...
Happy Easter! 🐣 Lots of 💕, HM xx
