I hope this email finds you and your loved ones well. I know that some of you are struggling with some difficult things in your life right now. Whether it's adjusting to a new schedule with your kids getting back to school, suffering from the loss of a loved one, hampered with pain or an injury that's slowing you down, or dealing with an illness yourself or the illness of friends and family.

Let me start by saying, I wish you all the strength and courage in the world as you deal with life's challenges. If you are dealing with real adversity, don't despair, it will get better. 

I think it's safe to say that for most of us, our lives in the past 5 months have been anything but normal. I hear talk about getting back to "normal" or adjusting to a "new normal".

I have some issues with us thinking about a return to normal with the assumption that our life 5 months ago was better than it is now. I would say it depends.

It depends whether you have young kids or not, whether you are working or not, whether you commute an hour to work each day or you are working from home, or whether you are healthier or unhealthier as a result of the COVID pandemic.  

In my dealings with people in the last 5 months, I can say that I have heard and seen the gamut when it comes to the consequences of how the virus has affected people's wellbeing. 

For some, life hasn't changed a whole lot. Maybe they were single, kept their job, are able to work from home, and were socially more isolated already.  

For many, they aren't doing so well physically. Not going to work or school and being out of an exercise routine, has led to some pain and loss of mobility. For some, it has led to weight gain and a loss of energy.

For folks that were already dealing with a pain problem or mobility issue, it has gotten worse because they didn't seek the medical or professional help they needed because of fear of exposing themselves or loved ones to the virus.

For others, I have seen the positive consequences. They are more healthy, fitter, and more resilient then they were before April of 2020. They used the time they gained to walk more, exercise more, cook healthier foods at home, or take up a hobby that they always wanted to do more of but never got around to doing. 

For me (and I would suspect for many others) it has been a mixed bag. Initially, I had more time for self-care, meditation, walking our dog, exercise, time spent with family, and doing things that I enjoy like gardening and playing golf.

I was less fit going into it, became fitter and lost weight that I needed to lose, then became less fit again because of losing time as a result of working more (grateful for that) and being hampered by my injuries and pain.

Some of the low points of the summer included the oppressive heat and humidity, spraining my little toe on patio furniture in May(knocked me off of my exercise routine), having less time for self-care since I'm busier seeing clients, dealing with a shoulder issue that came out of nowhere (also has knocked me off my exercise routine), spending less time with my friends and extended family, and watching the news and being dismayed by the current state of affairs in this country. I don't see these things as major advertises, but more as minor inconveniences or challenges. I'm well aware that things could be much worse and they are for many. 

Some of the high points of this summer included going on vacation with my family to the Outer Banks, my garden, cooking for my family, playing golf, hiking, and the addition of a new member to the family, Zoolander, our 11-week old kitten.

I have concluded that there is no "normal", there is only "change". The more comfortable you are with change, the more flexible and resilient you will be to challenges in your life. Acceptance of life as it is, no matter what it is.

If your life is better, its' most likely you have decided to make some changes to make it better or you have changed how you choose to respond to a situation.

If your life is not, it may have been due to overwhelming pressures and extenuating circumstances... and that is okay.

We all have the choice to recognize where we are, where we want to go, and decide what changes in our life we want to make to get to a better place physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 

I wish you progress and growth towards your journey to a healthier and happier self.

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.”

– Deepak Chopra

What's coming up for Issa Physical Therapy & Wellness...

Fit for Fall 8-Week Program

Starts Wed, September 16th, and will end Wed, November 11th.

This program is designed for weight loss and getting healthier. 

This program is for you... if you have gained weight, are less fit, and feel less energetic in the last few months (or years), and you want to hit the reset button and jumpstart onto a path to better health and fitness.

There are 2 informational online sessions to learn more:

Thursday, Sept 3rd (tonight) @ 7:30 pm: bit.ly/FitforFallSept3

Wednesday, Sept 9th @ 8:00 pm: bit.ly/FitforFallSept9

30-Minute Online Discovery Sessions are available... at no cost.

A Discovery Session is perfect:

• If you or someone you know is dealing with a pain issue that has gone on long enough. 
• If you or someone you know is losing mobility and independence. 
• If you or someone you know is looking to decrease dependence on pain medications. 
• If you or someone you know is trying to prevent possible surgical intervention. 

If I am describing you or someone you know and you are not sure what step should be taken next... I will help figure that out.

That is what the discovery session is all about... to listen, have an idea of what's going on, and determine whether I can help or not.

If I can't, I will point you in the right direction... whether that be to a doctor specialist, another therapist, or whatever else may be best.

Book an Online Discovery Session Here

Please drop me a line and let me know how you are doing. I want to know what your "new normal" is... whether it's good or bad. I hope you are well and finding balance in your life. 

Enjoy your labor day weekend! Make it memorable!

Be Well,

Tamer