Be Smart Like An Animal

October 13, 2009

bears_sleeping “It will be weird going back to school tomorrow,” my son Josh told me yesterday. A bloody miracle more like – he only just got out of hospital yesterday, after being knocked off his bicycle by a bus.

I know he’s getting tired of hearing all the one liners like, “You’re supposed to get on the bus through the door.” And, “Didn’t you know you’re not allowed to take your bicycle on the bus.” But the doctor said it will be six weeks to six months until he’s well enough to go back to school.

If you’ve ever recovered from a traumatic accident, you’ll know how difficult it is. Your animal instinct tells you to rest but your human stupidity is saying, “get off your ass and party – you’re lucky to be alive.”

I know we’re supposed to be the superior race but when it comes to recovering from illness, animals are smarter. They just curl up and sleep, for as long as it takes to get well.

Sixteen years ago, I persuaded the hospital to release me before Christmas, to avoid the rubber turkey. And I promised that I would stay in bed and get plenty of rest but I had my fingers crossed behind my back.

Yes, I felt like shit – but I thought if I acted well and positive, I would make a fast recovery. And of course I would be back at work at the start of the new year; why wouldn’t I be? But all the running round and pretending my head didn’t feel like I’d been hit with a mallet just made me feel worse and worse. My wound got infected and it took a long long time to heal.

So, I know Josh thinks it’s great to be alive – I just want to make sure he’s going to take things slowly, so he feels well enough to enjoy it. And if you find yourself in the same situation – be smart, like an animal and get plenty of rest.

Image Credit: Photos8.com

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Posted by cathlawson | Filed Under Misc

Comments

29 Responses to “Be Smart Like An Animal”

Mike CJ on October 13th, 2009 7:58 pm

Some story this Cath, and yes he needs to ease back into normal life. But don’t forget that kids have an incredible recovery rate when compared to adults.

So pleased he’s OK.

Mike CJ’s last blog post..I Really should go to the Ad:Tech Conference
Lillie Ammann on October 13th, 2009 8:09 pm

Cath,

I’m so glad Josh is home and getting better.

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Marelisa on October 13th, 2009 9:34 pm

Hi Cath: Sometimes it’s better to listen to the mind rather than the body–like when your body wants to stop jogging and your mind pushes it to go just a little bit longer–but the mind has to learn to listen to the body too. It’s a delicate balance. Glad to hear things are going well with Josh.

Marelisa’s last blog post..NaNoWriMo – How to Write a Novel in 30 Days
Stephanie on October 13th, 2009 10:00 pm

I’m glad he’s doing so well that he thinks he’s ready. He’s going to have to give himself time, though.

Stephanie’s last blog post..Halloween Means My Daughter is Thinking of Christmas
Robin on October 13th, 2009 11:14 pm

Hi Cath – very wise advice, I think. In fact, maybe we often get sick or have accidents precisely because deep inside we know we need some rest. They say colds happen for this reason (whoever “they” are).

Cath it must be so hard that he has been so seriously injured – I really feel for you all – Rob x

Robin’s last blog post..Can Limitations Be Useful?
juicing recipes on October 14th, 2009 12:19 am

Yes, animals have a huge advantage over us. They drink only what they are supposed to, eat what the are supposed to, sleep when they should, and play and act as they were meant to, AND they don’t stress over things. They just are – we can learn a lot from our friends.
vered | blogger for hire on October 14th, 2009 1:03 am

I’m glad Josh is doing so much better! Yes, people try to force themselves into fast recovery, but it doesn’t really work that way.

vered | blogger for hire’s last blog post..Pumpkin Cupcakes with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting
Davina on October 14th, 2009 5:09 am

Hi Cath. That’s great news that Josh is already home from the hospital. He’s built from some good stuff I think keeping active… to a certain extent, helps the healing. Josh’s body will let him know if he is overdoing it and I’m guessing he’ll respect that after what he’s been through.

Davina’s last blog post..9. Thyme Out On A Mountain
Chris Peterson on October 14th, 2009 9:17 am

Hey Cath!
You are so right. But I know, when anybody gets through such a kinda tough experience, the first human urge have is to be normal soon.
Not the best thing. But they aren’t gonna take orders from you just then. Mind won’t allow them to do that. So, just be patient & use interaction to get him on right track, okay?
All the best!

Chris Peterson’s last blog post..What’s In, Long blog posts or Short blog posts?
Kathy Dobson on October 14th, 2009 11:04 am

Hi Cath…
Yes, you are right…we would do well to follow in the foot steps of animals when we are sick. They do have great instincts and no doubt are in better tune to their bodies.
I am so happy that Josh is at the stage of wanting to explode into the world again…that’s a good thing!
More than that, I am just happy for you that he is healing from this injury…it must bring great relief to you.
I like your blog and I’ll be back…;)
Kathy

Kathy Dobson’s last blog post..Care of the Soul
Cath Lawson on October 14th, 2009 11:48 am

Thanks Mike – That is so true – they really do seem to bounce back.

Thank you Lillie – it’s much appreciated.

Thanks Mare – I know what you mean about the jogging – like you say, it’s important to find a balance.

Thanks Steph – I hope he will.

Thanks Robin – It was a huge shock but we’ll get through it. That is true about colds – we almost always seem to get them when we’re feeling run down to begin with.

Thanks Vered – I guess most people try to do it.

Thanks Chris – that’s a good point. I guess when someone tells you you can’t do something, the natural reaction is to try to prove them wrong.

Thanks Kathy – I wonder why it is that animals are more intuitive in this regard? Maybe we’ve added so much stuff and clutter to our lives that we can’t see through it all to deal with our basic needs.

Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Be Smart Like An Animal
Dot on October 14th, 2009 1:24 pm

Wow, that’s good news to hear that he’s out of the hospital and back home. I agree with Davina — his body will probably let him know if it’s too soon. There’s no holding back kids sometimes, even though I hear you wanting to. This has got to be really hard on you. Hang in there, Cath.

Dot’s last blog post..Through a Glass, Grimly – Part 4
Cath Lawson on October 14th, 2009 8:59 pm

Hi Davina – Thanks. Your comment went into moderation – don’t know why. He has mostly rested today, so I guess he won’t overdo it.

Hi Dot – Thanks. It’s been a scary time but hopefully we’ll get there.

Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Be Smart Like An Animal
Patricia on October 15th, 2009 4:07 am

I am glad that fellow is home and I think you describe the human spirit well and spot on…
Here in the states they check you out of the hospital before you are ready….after Ovarian Cancer surgery I was home and being nursed by my 10 year old – I was covered with infections in the surgery site.

I can tell you and Josh…that if he wants to get better faster….sleep…it is the best medicine on the earth…yes animals are right…

Short of tying him down…don’t let him go too soon.

healing is important…have him write a blog post

Patricia’s last blog post..Jeepers Peepers – Where Have You Guys Gone?
Barbara Swafford on October 15th, 2009 7:34 am

Hi Catherine,

I saw this entry on Facebook. I’m so happy Josh is home now. That must take a lot of stress off of you.

Having a loving mom like you is probably just what Josh needs right now. Those loving vibes can do wonders.

Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..Blog Your Passion
Meryl K Evans on October 15th, 2009 12:07 pm

Glad to hear Josh has recovered and can go back to school! Many of us are guilty of pushing more than we’re supposed to — yet we don’t learn from our lessons. Pushing before the doctor tells you can make things worse.

Meryl K Evans’s last blog post..Having Multiple Streams of Income Is Key for the Self-employed Individual
cathlawson on October 15th, 2009 4:36 pm

Thanks Patricia – That must have been awful – infection is painful and dangerous. We have those bed managers over here in the UK too. Some hospitals are like sausage factories.

Thanks Barbara – Things feel so much better than they did last week. On my way to the scene of the accident, I really was prepared for the worst.

Hi Meryl – I think you might have misunderstood. He can’t go back to school yet – but he’ll be able to go eventually.
Trade Show Guru on October 16th, 2009 12:09 am

Hey Cath,
I’m glad to hear that Josh is ok.
When I was a kid, I got hit by a car making a turn when I was on my bike (got really shook up but didn’t have to go to the hospital). Luck was on my side, and it sounds like it was on Josh’s side too. I hope it continues to follow him in life. ~ Steve, the trade show guru

Trade Show Guru’s last blog post..Are Trade Shows Obsolete?
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach on October 16th, 2009 9:29 am

So glad he’s doing better! And yes, kids do tend to recover faster…but it’s heck to watch them do that sometimes as a parent.

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..Make money by MASTERING Your Niche Part 1 – Keep Proactively Current via RSS
Jannie Funster on October 16th, 2009 8:09 pm

You’ll be happy to know I’m going to curl up and have a nice nap now, as a human ought to do each day.

Glad is is better, hope he recovers well and it’s closer to the 6 week than 6 month side, for both of you!

xo

Jannie Funster’s last blog post..10 Great Mysteries of the Universe, 2
John Hoff - WP Blog Host on October 19th, 2009 6:00 am

Wow Cath, I missed this stuff about the bus. I’m so glad your son is going to be ok.

We are a little thick headed about recovery, aren’t we? And the problem is, kids are even worse!
natural on October 19th, 2009 4:34 pm

glad to read he is well enough to go back to school. i think, like you mentioned, humans over think things and don’t listen to their body…i guess that because we worry about the responsibilities we have and want to get off our butt when we really need to rest.

natural’s last blog post..The Psychology of Hair
Robert on October 22nd, 2009 4:45 pm

Glad to hear he’s back at school. Hopefully he’ll get better. If not, keep his butt in bed until he does!

Robert’s last blog post..Driver Racks Up 15 Tickets in 11 Minutes
Sara on October 22nd, 2009 5:40 pm

Cath — I am so glad to know your son is okay. That must have been a very scary experience for both of you. I imagine as much he wants to get going again, you want him to cautious. Then again when they’re young, it’s so hard to get them to rest:~)

My younger daughter is like that. She hurt her knee through playing Ultimate Frisbee, but refused to stop playing until her knee made it impossible. Fortunately, for her it was something that could heal and she’s back playing again. At first very cautiously, but now playing as if she’s invincible….Kids!!!

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J.D. Meier on November 2nd, 2009 7:25 am

We can learn a lot from our animal friends. Some martial arts are modeled after animals (Monkey style, Praying Mantis … etc.) and Shamanism uses power animals for guides.

I’m sorry to hear about your son and I hope he makes a full recovery.

J.D. Meier’s last blog post..Road Trip 2009
Martey on November 3rd, 2009 9:58 am

I know myself to be in the same situation. That’s why I partially did my website which is linked to here. I was in a car accident, luckily I was quite young at the time so I did get my rest and didn’t have to stress trough it. Although I got plenty of rest I started to get these really painfull migraines one year after and struggled with it for over 5 years, thankfully it’s gone today but all I can say is that you can’t go on being stressed out, angry and such. It won’t help!

Martey’s last blog post..Pregnant and headache
cathlawson on November 5th, 2009 2:49 am

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I’m so behind with responding to comments right now but your kind words are appreciated.

Martey – I’m glad you eventually recovered from your accident. And I hear what you say about being stressed and angry. I suffer from PTSD and it took me a few years to stop being angry and lots of other stuff. It really does make things worse. I’ll be checking out your website – thanks.
Kathy Dobson on November 21st, 2009 2:03 am

Like Robin mentioned above, I believe we do “make ourselves” sick even if it is only subconsciously…because we need rest and that’s the only way we allow ourselves the so called “luxury.”
I am always amazed at my cat because he is never ill or feeling bad…then again maybe he has had times that he has felt bad, but the only thing he does is sleep so I don’t notice much of a change!
We truly do need to follow the lead of animals more…
Kathy

Kathy Dobson’s last blog post..Companionship
cathlawson on November 21st, 2009 8:10 am

Hi Kathy – It’s an interesting idea isn’t it. I wonder if that’s what happens to folk who have complete breakdowns – the need to rest becomes overwhelming, so they just shut off.