I don’t feel as old as last week when my back was stiff and the other thing not. Two reasons to be concerned and both certainly stress related. Most of my stress should have disappeared years ago when I left the workforce. However, I find myself having what I call “sympathy stress” for my working wife. She shares her work nightmares with me each evening, and I feel the pain of her dissatisfaction. I thought that she could find happiness in continuing to excel with her career for a few more years. Instead, momentum has stumbled a bit at work, and she might want to retire a bit sooner than expected. This could create some financial stress for her and a need to reduce travel expectations. It’s a “Catch 22,” referring to the 1961 controversial novel by Joseph Heller. By definition, it’s a is “a paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations.” I haven’t read the book since college, or was it high school?

I can’t attribute this stress and related back discomfort to just sympathy. All the travel plans that I’ve made have contributed equally to these problems. Tomorrow, I will be doing an acupuncture session. It’s a mysterious science and treatment that I’ve always been curious to try. At least, the chiropractor has reduced the pain to stiffness. Perhaps, it’s also the relief of another trip gone by and the comforts of home. This morning when I was running, I could feel a heaviness in my lower back, making any deep breathing cumbersome. I can still feel the tightness in my neck, shoulders, and erector spinea muscles as I sit here writing and watching the teary final season of Downton Abbey. It too was filled with stress!

Stress can be paralyzing, as I have learned. It just feels good to be able to touch my toes or bend over without sharp pain. I tried a heating pad, cold packs, different shoes, a Balance Ball chair, and new stretches as part of my recent therapy. I’m sure they all contributed to the recent relief that I feel. As for the other stiffness, I’m certainly not ready for little blue pills. I’m old…but I’m not dead yet! (See Post #810)