Relaxation

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I don't think I'm really cut out for this rest and recovery malarkey. In addition to the fact that the slightest bit of activity seems to justify a rest that's more than twice as long as the period of action, my sleep pattern too appears to have extended itself by an extra 30 minutes or more at both ends.

A short walk as taken yesterday and the day before was thwarted today by Storm Dudley. That was a shame, as getting out into the fresh air, even for just a brief period of time, really energised and enlivened me although the effect was not sustained. There's a lot of truth in that "Blow the cobwebs away," saying. Unfortunately, had I ventured out today, it might have been more than cobwebs that became windswept.

My attention span too is limited, so once the day's Wordle is completed, time is filled flicking through a magazine rather than reading a gripping book; chatting on the phone with friends and family or watching television, the trashier the better. I even started to knit a pair of fingerless mittens, finishing the first in record time but now disinclined to start the second!

In some ways it is giving me an insight into what retired life could be like without the health and fitness I've enjoyed up to now and when walls close-in, restricting the ability to socialise and broaden horizons. As you'll have gathered, I don't like it in the least.

I do understand the necessity at present of going with the flow and not pressing myself physically or mentally, but boy does it add to a general feeling of debilitation. At least, and I hope I'm not being overly optimistic here, I can start to plan activities for the future and lunches are now being pencilled in on the calendar whilst the mind, when it's not slumbering, begins to think in terms of more ambitious projects and journeys.

There's nothing life-changing about the procedures I've undergone (or not that I'm yet so far aware) but after 2 long years of restrictions and now recuperation too, I really want to get back to giving the joys of retirement a kickstart.

Getting outside and into the natural world is a start along with the physical activity of simply walking. I am conscious, however, that what keeps the bounce in my footstep above all else, after relations with friends and family, is satisfying my innate curiosity with new experiences and having a sense of the direction in which I'm travelling. For the moment the latter is satisfied by knowing that every day is another step on the road to recovery but, having sampled what for me is the novel ordeal of rest and patience, I could be on the verge of writing a bucket list if only my brain will engage long enough to let me.



Comments

Christie Hawkes said…
Oh Caree, I hope you are on the quick road to recovery and able to get back to exploring retirement soon. As I read this post, I could almost feel that restless feeling combined with a sense of inertia. Getting outside definitely helps, so I hope the weather cooperates. As you noted, this recuperating period could be a good lesson for all of us to take care of ourselves, so we can have the healthiest retirement possible. Thanks for sharing and take care of yourself!
17 February 2022 at 13:02
Caree Risover said…
Yes, it’s a conflicting balance at present but the fatigue is definitely designed to limit the desire for action and with good reasonI guess
17 February 2022 at 14:50
Treaders said…
I get where you're coming from 100% - but I think the fatigue is there for a purpose - to make you slow down and rest! I also absolutely agree with getting outside and "blowing those cobwebs away". I just love it. The colder the better. As for the mitten, do you know any one-armed bandit you could give it to? Save yourself the guilt trip of not finishing the second one!
17 February 2022 at 18:52
Caree Risover said…
I agree Treaders, and I suppose as there’s no pain, I need the fatigue to force me to acknowledge that my body is under repair and I have to be gentle with it. Thanks for the tip, I am now on the look out for those one armed bandits!
17 February 2022 at 19:07
Bethany @ Happily Loco said…
Oh dear, I hadn't realized you have had Covid! So glad you are doing better and on the mend!
27 February 2022 at 17:52
Caree Risover said…
Oops, sorry for misleading on that one, Bethany.. Actually as the subsequent PCR test and every lateral flow since were negative, everyone, except NHS Test and Trace, was satisfied that I didn’t have Covid, although it would have offered a very convenient explanation for the symptoms giving rise to my emergency admission to hospital which presently remain unexplained pending the results of further tests. However, as one doctor indicated that night: I might never know the cause.
27 February 2022 at 19:07
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