Introducing my sister, Kirsten Transue. In What is Your Anti-Kryptonite? I pointed out that even close family members can have different primary coping strategies. Kirsten is the mother of 4, a business owner, and a physical therapist. While we both enjoy movement and being outside, the intensity of our interests is quite different. She describes her primary coping strategy here:

We all want to be resilient. We want to be able to handle difficult times and bounce back from blows in life.  

As a physical therapist of 25+ years, I have seen the power of movement on people’s physical and mental resilience. I am in awe of how people can heal their bodies through movement and exercise and how this translates to improved mood and outlook on life.  Exercise and movement have taught me that my body and brain can face all kinds of challenges and bounce back. 

Most recently, I went through a significant surgery. I was told going into it that I would have to take 8 weeks off swimming and a few weeks off work. Let me tell you that I am an endurance swimmer and LOVE being in the water. It is where I connect with friends and feel strong and healthy. As for work, I am an owner of my clinic and love treating patients. It is a big piece of who I am. Knowing that I would have to temporarily leave these two big pieces of me was difficult, but I knew that I needed to do this to heal.  

Luckily, I was also told that I could walk as much as I wanted to. I used my knowledge and history of exercise and movement to heal. I went for walks as soon as I could tolerate them. I gradually lengthened my walks and spent time on local trails in the woods. One of my adult children was home and invited me to go bird watching in the early A.M., which is typically my swim time. I jumped at the chance. We spent our time in the woods watching birds, walking, and connecting. It was soothing for my body and mind.  

Moving and being outdoors gave me something to focus on. My pain levels decreased with each walk. I noticed that the days in which I did not move I was sorer at night. Our bodies need and crave movement. It increases blood flow and helps release endorphins. It is an integral part of life, part of being a human.  

Each day I see my strength returning and my pain reducing. I see this same thing in the patients I treat. I often stop mid treatment and ask them to rate their pain and the majority of the time they report a lower pain level than when they walked in the door.  

Movement teaches resilience, both physical and mental. Each time I get out for a walk I am reminded of how my body is getting stronger and healthier. I feel better, perhaps more tired, but better about everything. This is true for all of us. If I have a day in which I cannot move or exercise I feel lethargic and down. Movement is what feeds my body and brain. And every time I push into a very difficult physical feat, I gain confidence in my ability to face all challenges in life, physical and mental.  Whether your preferred exercise is walking, gardening, golfing, stretching, or lifting weights, it does not matter. Get out and move. 

– Kirsten Transue

You are welcome to share your primary coping skill through email or in the comment section. Over the summer you will find different strategies shared here by guest writers or myself as I talk with people. My hope is that you will join me in learning about the unique ways people build resilience in their lives. 

Peace,

Laura