After the Fall: A Lesson in Mindfulness

Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit

Happy St Patrick’s Day! Today has me reminiscing about Nor’Easter Riley- derived from ‘Reilly,’ which comes from the Old Irish name Raghailleach.

(Video by Tucker Destino)

‘Sheltering-in-Place’ Nor’Easter Riley brought hurricane-force winds, astronomical tides, record-breaking waves and flooded roads. With flying debris and falling tree limbs, I chose instead to shelter-in-place and watch the 3-day storm unfold on the news and social media. Over the 3 days I watched as people were evacuated to safety, trees fell onto homes and branches through car windshields. Never did I expect during this Nor’Easter that I would end up injured in my own home!

Accidents Often Occur in the Home Despite my efforts to stay home and safe, while home alone I ended up falling down my basement stairs. Late that night my husband was on his way home with a weekend guest. I was distracted and hurrying down the stairs in stocking feet to get my laundry, while talking on the phone with my 90-year old mother. Slipping on the wooden steps as if on ice, my feet flew up in the air. Landing hard on one step, I bounced onto the next, then slid down 2 more, then ultimately the basement floor. My phone and I flew in opposite directions.

“It’s Okay Mom. I’m Okay.” Lying in a moaning heap at the bottom of the stairs, my biggest concern was reassuring my mother. Calling up to my phone, “Mom. It’s Okay.” It’s okay mom.” “I’m okay,” “I’m okay.” It took a few moments to crawl back up the stairs to retrieve the phone, all the while my elderly mother was on the other end, wondering what the heck had happened to make that terrible noise??

A Literal Pain in the A#%!! Bruised, but luckily nothing broken. My tailbone took the brunt of the fall. I felt really lucky! Since then I learned that 10.4 out of 100,000 accidental falls result in death. I have Pilates classes to credit for surviving the fall without worse injury. Thank you Haley Allison!

“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.” — Paulo Coelho

The Calm After Nor’Easter Riley. Karen Pischke

The Calm After the Storm – Like after any storm, after any injury we look for the calm, repair what needs to be repaired, and move forward.

‘Self-Treatment for Self-Healing.’ The ability to do ‘self-reiki,’ as I teach in my First Degree Reiki Training helps bring ‘clarity of thought’ and ‘calmness in the moment.’ A potential release of endorphins from the relaxation response can also help provide greater levels of comfort and relieve pain. Self-reiki, ice, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs; **ask your doctor before taking NSAIDs as they are sometimes contraindicated!) and topical bio-freeze. I repeated this 3x a day throughout the next week. Unfortunately, the following weekend after my fall was our annual ski trip was and though I felt better, skiing and snowshoeing were out of the question. A gentle walk in the woods was the best I could do.

Two Weeks Later and Mostly Healed. I’m looking forward to an upcoming trip to Arizona, riding horses with the Navajo Indians in Canyon De Chelly. I will definitely be practicing mindfulness while horseback riding and hiking. I am looking forward to meditating amidst the beauty of Antelope Canyon. 🙂

Antelope Canyon, Arizona. Courtesy Pixaby

Preventing Falls. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults over the age of 65 experience falls. Many falls can be prevented. Pilates, yoga, tai chi, and core strengthening can help with balance and decrease the risk of falls. **Talk to your doctor about ways to increase balance, core and overall strength.

The Lessons: As we age, it becomes even more important to continue working on balance and core-strengthening. Slow Down. Focus. Practice Mindfulness.

So this St. Paddy’s Day have fun and enjoy the celebration, mindfully and safely! ~ Karen

Karen Pischke BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus, Author, Speaker, Nurse Researcher, Certified Hypnotherapist, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Usui Reiki Teacher/Komyo Shihan. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness LLC. Your Bridge to Health. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Mind, Body and Spirit. Karen is a registered nurse with a background in critical care nursing, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac risk factor reduction, wellness and integrative healthcare. Incorporating a collaborative, integrative approach, Karen strives to educate and provide evidence-based services and self-care tools that are safe as well as effective at improving health, happiness and wellbeing. www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Find us on Instagram and Facebook

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