Maintenance for the Miles Ahead

I recently got back from a trip out west to Wyoming and Montana, where we spent time exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We hiked around 30 miles through the mountains, saw elk, moose, bison, black bears, and grizzly bears, and spent a lot of time simply enjoying being outside.

There was also very little cell service, which honestly ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. We were unplugged for most of it, and it gave us a chance to slow down, take a breath of fresh air, and enjoy the people and places right in front of us.

After spending that much time hiking, I kept thinking about how thankful I was to have a body that allowed me to do it.

I love being outside. Hiking, hunting, fishing, and staying active are things I genuinely enjoy, and this trip was a good reminder of why taking care of my body matters to me. I don't want to wait until something hurts badly enough that I have to address it. I want to take care of myself so I'm ready for the things I want to do.

I think that's something many of us struggle with.

Life gets busy, and taking care of ourselves is often the first thing to get pushed aside. We take care of our kids, our spouse, our jobs, our volunteer commitments, our pets—the list goes on. Meanwhile, that nagging low back pain has been there for six months, but we keep telling ourselves we'll deal with it later.

Then vacation is a week away and suddenly it's, "I need to get in before we leave!"

There's certainly a time and place for addressing pain when it happens, but taking care of yourself doesn't have to start there.

Regular maintenance care and check-ins are about keeping your body moving and functioning well so you can continue doing the things you enjoy. It's the same reason we make time for rest, movement, good nutrition, and the other things that help us feel our best. Taking care of our health isn't one big thing we do at the last minute. It's the little things we do consistently along the way.

For me, that looks like going for runs or taking walks with a weighted vest. I follow a regular weightlifting program that includes both bodyweight and barbell exercises, and I always make time to stretch after exercising to help with soreness.

Chiropractic care is another part of my routine. I typically get adjusted at least once a month, but I've also learned to recognize when my body is telling me I'm ready for an adjustment. If I'm feeling more sore than usual while exercising or in the days afterward, that's usually one of my signs. I also tend to carry a lot of tension in my shoulders, so when I start noticing that tension along with a dull headache at the back of my head, I know it's probably time for me to get checked.

But maintaining balance isn't only about what I do physically or what happens inside the office.

Sometimes taking care of yourself means getting away from the day-to-day grind. It's putting down your phone. It's spending time with the people you love. It's getting outside and doing something that fills your cup.

For me, this trip was all of those things.

Thirty miles of hiking later, I came home tired, grateful, and reminded that I want to keep taking care of my body—not just so I can feel good today, but so I'm ready for whatever adventure comes next.