The Hindu Business Line : Relax, recoup

As important in this relaxed state is to let go all grievances, resentments, anger, cynicism and sarcasm. When the body is vulnerable, these negative emotions evoke a quick, painful reaction.

SOOTHING STRAINS: A relaxing environment can help fight post-surgery blues - K. Murali Kumar

Ten months after his gall bladder was removed, Sanjeev is still in acute pain. Umpteen specialists have examined him. They suggest delicately that he is imagining the pain. But Sanjeev maintains that his pain is real. It's the pain of a body struggling to function and regain its balance without one of its organs. It's the pain of a mind unable to come to terms with the trauma and indignity the body has been put through. It's a pain not recognised by medicine. It's a pain of non-acceptance, of resistance to the post-surgery situation. It is an emotional pain.

At the level of thought, it comes through as a judgement — against the doctor for putting him through this trial, against his spouse for not understanding, against his mother for passing on weak genes. On the level of emotion, it is a mix of resentment, hatred, self-pity and depression. Negative thoughts and emotions bring with them inflammation that is not visible to the medical MRI.

Non-acceptance of what has happened hardens the psychological attitude and creates a painful sense of isolation. The body tenses, contracts, and the inflammation intensifies.

Relax to heal

I cannot stress enough the need to relax completely, deeply and unreservedly. Deep relaxation for four hours daily is the foundation of all healing. Create a relaxing environment. Draw the curtains to dim the room. Regulate the temperature to your comfort level. Wear soft, loose clothes. Lie down using the right pillow. Lie loose as if your limbs and joints are made of water. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply without straining, without counting. Place a fragrant bouquet of flowers in the room. Inhale their fragrance.

Think of yourself as an ocean with your breath rising and falling like ocean waves. Imagine that your fingertips are inhaling this beautiful fragrance and it is flowing smoothly up your arms, shoulders and head. Then imagine you are exhaling down through your trunk, stomach and legs, and out from your toe-tips. Open your eyes. Look at the flower leisurely. Close your eyes.

Visualise the flower unfolding its petals inside you softly, delicately, and healingly. See its soothing pink colour, the colour of gods, and the colour of well-being. Feel its softness, its coolness, and its velvet texture inside you. Experience the flower...

Ask a friend with a soothing sonorous voice to tape the above descriptions so that you can visualise them daily. Or check out your local store for tapes/CDs on relaxation. The land of deep relaxation is a timeless land. "When you enter this timeless dimension of the present, change often comes about in strange ways without the need for a great deal of doing on your part," writes Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher, in Practising the Power of Now. "Life becomes helpful and co-operative."

Relaxed visualisation releases the body's endorphins, which gently cool the inflammation and ease the pain. As important in this relaxed state is to let go all grievances, resentments, anger, cynicism and sarcasm. When the body is vulnerable, these negative emotions evoke a quick, painful reaction. Deep relaxation means letting go even a scornful attitude of "I don't care anyway" or "I couldn't be bothered". This is masked resistance. While deep relaxation is a major part of post-surgery treatment, other factors play strong supportive roles:

A healing diet: Consult a clinical dietician for a light diet appropriate for your condition. When the body's energy is not overly directed to digesting heavy food, it concentrates on healing. Avoid spicy, fried foods. Have cooling foods like curd, rice, bottle gourd, coconut water and ripe bananas.

Mingle with music: Listen to your favourite music with full attention. Gradually, hum with it. Then sing with it. Sing for at least an hour daily. You will experience an expansive, trance-like feeling in your brain. It means all resistance has been sung off.

See yourself as a strong survivor: Cast off that `weak victim' self-image. Recast yourself as a strong survivor. Tell yourself, "I've survived a surgery. I can damn well become stronger and healthier than I ever was!" You will not only come out on top, you will also feel the urge to surge into wellness with a daily walk or therapeutic exercising.

Adopt a new mindset: Resolve to always look at others from your heart — from love, gentleness and peace. When you look at others so, your state of relaxation remains undisturbed because you consciously choose peace over criticism, love over fear.

Use healing language: Words such as attack, poison, and blast slow down healing. The unconscious, which is linked to the autonomic nervous system, feels literally weakened by such words. Eschew thoughts such as "fighting the war against cancer" or "battling the disease".

Words such as healing, clearing, easing, getting well, divinising, and cleansing empower the unconscious-cum-nervous-system action.

Finally, never hesitate to seek guidance from an occupational therapist. Compresses, activity aids and counselling banish post-surgery blues, boost your spirits and raise the quality of your life.

(The writer is co-author of the book, `Fitness for Life'.)

More Stories on : Health | Fitness First

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Relax, recoup

Big Little Penguin Parade

Flying high

Memorable moments