BackWords

I thought that might get your attention!

For me, the winter is a tough time of the year. Since I was a teenager, I have suffered with very bad seasonal affective disorder and this has always made the winter difficult. Over the years, I have been able to identify several things which help me get through it all- and more importantly, my wife has too.

When my younger daughter was born, my wife Donna suffered with a serious case of post-partum depression. As a result, we’ve both developed methods for maintaining our sanity and well-being. Here’s what Donna has to say about one of our most important coping mechanisms- Date Night:

About five years ago, when I suffered from post-partum depression, my husband, Andy, and I decided to try out couple’s counseling.  We found a great therapist who gave us some useful communication tools.  We also found our way back to our relationship, apart from what the counseling sessions offered.

Because we had treated the counseling as critical, we managed to marshal the support of my in-laws, who provided babysitting for our girls.  We would go out to dinner after each session.  We once again began to revel in each others’ company and soon realized that the time alone as a couple proved just as beneficial as the counseling.

We have now made a weekly date-night a regular fixture in our lives.  It’s not always easy to budget this but we see it as a priority.  When funds are tight, we call in favors with family or swap babysitting time with friends.  Come hell or high water, Andy and I make time to be alone together each week.

If you are in a relationship, especially one in which pain figures in largely, consider weighing the costs of not having a date night.  That time apart from your kids, your pain or your other obligations will make an extraordinary difference in your lives.  Then think about how much fun you’ll have together outside of the counselor’s chair.

Happy dating! 

-Donna

Keeping yourself sane is one of the best things you can do to relieve back pain. Pain effects virtually everything you do- maintaining a sense of normalcy will always help to keep the pain at bay. Time with someone you love is one of the most normal, wonderful things you can do.

Now, here’s the sex…

Check out my newest post on Martha Stewarts Whole Living Daily blog about back pain and comfortable sex.

Please share your experiences with ways to experience a comfortable sexual experience while recovering from back pain.

Thanks for stopping by!

-Andy

Spring is coming!!!