Me vs Gravity

I like to be always prepared, so after I was diagnosed with MS, I started researching what Mr. Hyde is all about. You always want to get to know your enemy. The only problem with Mr. Hyde is that he is an very unpredictable enemy. Sometimes, Mr. Hyde is like a ticking bomb, ready to explode.

When you receive a diagnosis, the first thing that comes to mind is how to cure it, shake it off, or get rid of it. How do I go back to the life before that summer? Then, you turn Google up to speed and you find out that there is no turning back, no magical switch, no time machine, no miraculous medication. I had to face the reality that Mr. Hyde would be a permanent part of my life. So, my next question was, how do I deal with it? 

Do I let it overcome my life? Do I let it define me? Do I let it put me down? Do I treat it as my weakness? The answer is NO!!! I won't give up, I don't let it put me down, and I prove to myself that I am more than Mr. Hyde – I am a fighter.  Even though dealing with it is challenging. I accepted it as being a part of me. Not my favorite part :). But Mr. Hyde has to understand that the game and the victory is going to be mine.

At first, I didn't know anything about MS, but while discovering all the nooks and crannies, my life started to make more sense. The symptoms I once ignored now have a reasonable explanation. One of those symptoms was tripping over nothing. Gravity was never my best friend. Imagine it's an even surface, and guess what I trip. If I am lucky, no one is behind me, and I shake it off and pretend nothing happened. But if I am not so fortunate and there is a witness, I must gracefully turn around with a smile and pretend that this was my shoes or the floor's fault. Because obviously, it can't be just Mr. Hyde sabotaging me. As you can imagine, I have more stories like this. There were times when I was reaching for something, lost balance, and almost met face to face with the floor. As you can see, Mr. Hyde is not a team player, but rather a secret enemy who constantly gets in my way. 

Since MS was trying to mess with my balance, I decided to challenge it and learn how to stand on water. It's not a magic trick, although there are days when I wish I had Harry Potter's wand and magic powers. Unfortunately, since this is not the case, I decided to learn paddleboarding and prove to myself that Mr. Hyde will not win. The feeling of standing on the board, the gentle sway of the water beneath me, and the focus it requires to maintain balance-all these elements make paddleboarding a unique and empowering experience.

Moreover, it is tough to convince me otherwise once I have made up my mind. Believe me, my mom tried :). I read numerous articles about the health benefits of paddleboarding. I want to tell you about it. It is essential to recognize that each person's body is different, and what is suitable for one individual may not be effective for another. Paying attention to your own body's responses is always recommended.  

According to glidesup.com, paddleboarding has powerful health benefits:

1.  Full–body workout.

-      Paddleboarding engages nearly every major muscle group. We use our core muscles for balance and posture. Arms and shoulders for paddling. Legs to stabilize. Back and glutes for strength and endurance. Although it is a potent and highly effective workout, it is also very low-impact.  

2.  Builds core strength and stability.

-     Your core muscles are the foundation that keeps you upright on the board.

-     If you keep your core strong, over time you will have:

·     Better posture,

·     Stronger abs and obliques,

·     Improve balance in everyday life.

3.  Boosts cardiovascular health.

-     Paddling steadily improves heart and lung capacity,

-     Lower blood pressure,

-     Raise your heart rate.

4.  Enhances balance and coordination, which is, in my opinion, crucial if you struggle with MS.

5.  Strengthens mental health and reduces stress.

After coping with Mr. Hyde for a while now, I've learned that stress is a huge trigger, right next to sugar and processed foods. Imagine standing on the water, surrounded by nature, gorgeous views, and feeling completely relaxed. Like Mr. Hyde doesn't exist; you enter a deeper level of relaxation with every breath. What I love about paddleboarding is that while you relax and shut down Mr. Hyde, your body works hard to keep you upright on the board.

The best part of it is that Mr. Hyde had not seen this coming. I refuse to give up, so as I said, the game is on. Undoubtedly, MS creates obstacles in my way, but I am determined to overcome them. So even though Mr. Hyde makes me trip on a straight surface, I will prove that I can stand and glide on water.

Never give up. Anything is possible.