Confessions of a Middle-Aged Physical Therapist

I love Halloween!  I patiently wait until there is a hint of fall in the air, and when the crisp breeze hits…it is time to decorate for Halloween!  This year I had big plans for some new accessories I had ordered early to beat the rush and was excited to begin my decorating extravaganza.  With everyone else in my house attending an evening football game, I lugged 7 tubs up from the basement and began feverishly bending to retrieve the hiding Halloween goodness inside.  My goal was to have everything out and cleaned up by the time my guys came back home.

Garland with black bats and orange lights up over head…this is taking a lot longer than expected…I should really get the step stool so I am not reaching over my head for such a long time…just a little bit more and it will be even…there I got it!  Next I wrestle with some purple lights that will illuminate a spooky black wreath.  Instead of placing the lights and wreath on the table (because this will only take a minute), I leave them on the floor and continue to bend forward really concentrating on the precise placement of each bulb.  Done!  Found the pumpkins that are perfect for the highest point of the fireplace mantel…I really should get that step stool…no, I can just step up to the thin fireplace ledge at knee height, then I won’t need to go all the way over to the closet and grab the step stool.  Four hurried trips down the basement stairs to put the 7 tubs back into storage, and then I’ll be ready to enjoy the decorations and sit down for 2 hours to watch a scary movie.  As I was watching the movie, it began to creep in…the left side of my back, the right side of my neck, and my right shoulder were not very happy with me.  I knew I should stretch and get the heating pad, but the movie was just getting good.  In spite of the decorations looking great, I was unfortunately sore the rest of the weekend, and it was my own fault.

As a physical therapist, I should know better…I made plenty of mistakes…if only I would have: 1) asked for help from my occasionally helpful teenage boys to bring the tubs up and down the stairs, 2) not tried to carry more than one tub at a time, especially down the stairs, 3) gotten the step stool for any reaching activities, even if it’s all the way in the closet, 4) brought objects to waist or table height rather than bending forward, especially for long periods of time, 5) taken some short sitting breaks from standing and walking, 6) gotten up from sitting at least every hour while watching the movie, 7) spent some time stretching for recovery after activity and to break up sitting (the foam roll—one of my favorite tools—was conveniently in the same room I was watching the movie, but I never used it because I unfortunately convinced myself I was too tired).

I don’t recall decorating being such a physical challenge a few years ago, but I accept that this is likely my new “normal.”  I will have to pace my activity and work smarter, not harder moving forward.  I must focus on warming up and cooling down my muscles and joints if I don’t want to ache for days after activity.  I will keep in mind that I need to stay consistent with cardio workouts, stretching, yoga, strength training, and balance exercises…the next round of holiday decorations are not going to put themselves up!