Helping ourselves feel good again - using occupational therapy

I was trying to articulate how I’ve been feeling lately to a friend but was struggling with it.

When I remembered to plug my OT (occupational therapy) brain back in, it all made perfect sense.

In occupational therapy and occupational science, one of the underpinning beliefs is that taking part in the things that are meaningful, important and necessary to us (as complete individuals in our own unique lives) is crucial to our wellbeing. Basically, if we can’t do the things we like, want and need to do, we’re not going to be particularly happy or have a great quality of life.

We call this a belief or a hypothesis, but isn’t it a damn right fact? Obviously if someone loves playing football and they suddenly can’t play anymore, that’s going to have some pretty big consequences on that person’s state of mind.

This very domain is what we occupational therapists really care about. Our job is to understand and find ways to manage or resolve this thing we call occupational disruption. If you’ve ever met an occupational therapist, you’ll notice most of us are keen problem-solvers. Give us a challenge and we will make it our mission to find a solution so you can get back to feeling like your best self again. We get pretty creative at thinking outside the box to make that happen, too!

So here’s my real-world example and one many of my clients have gone through too… pregnancy is causing me a hefty case of occupational disruption. I expected it when it came to motherhood; Taking time off work, shifting into a new identity, losing some freedom and potentially certain social groups (occupational alienation, if we want to add in more occupational science terms!) These are all to be expected, but for many this disruption starts long before the baby arrives.

The act of being pregnant already comes with lots of sacrifices; sleep quality, altered food, drink, exercise and medication choices, the ability to breathe like a regular person - to name a few! For me, it has meant not being able to focus my brain in ways I’d like to. My mostly fabulous but sometimes infuriating ADHD brain has ramped up a notch and often it feels impossible to focus. My work was a huge part of my identity and my wellbeing and it has taken a big tumble since pregnancy. Adding to that, my other truly meaningful occupation was hiking and being active outdoors (running, cycling, swimming, anything that makes me feel free!) Due to a host of delightful pregnancy symptoms which started very early on, I’m no longer able to do most of the things I enjoyed before.

I am quite simply, a walking infographic for occupational disruption. Can’t do the things I like? Not a happy bunny. Even if it’s not permanent, it’s still important to recognise and work around. We need to minimise the likelihood of things worsening and becoming depression, social isolation and other such unpleasant states of being. For me, the best thing to do is always to understand what is happening - Part 1! Then when I know, I can ask myself what else is meaningful to me, what else makes me who I am? What else brings me a sense of purpose, belonging or connection?

If doing leads to being, being leads to becoming and becoming allows us to truly belong*, then what can I DO to repair this temporary occupational disruption?

When we know this then we can try and restore a sense of balance when it is missing. For me and my limitations, I’m setting myself goals for swimming, pilates, socialising, playing music, and writing whenever my brain allows me to. In fact, writing this gave me a great sense of satisfaction and completing it helped me remember my capabilities.

So now I ask you, what can you do today/tomorrow/this week or this month that will help you remember who you are and will help you feel like the best version of yourself?

Something to think about, or to share with anyone else who might need this reminder today.

Love, as always, Nicola

*I always refer to this, from OT scholar Ann Wilcock on the brilliant concept of occupation being crucial for our survival. If you're an OT nerd like me, her work might be interesting for you!