ANXIETY, PAIN, AND “PESACH”
We already know that pain can become the center of life — an invisible dispatcher deciding what a person will do and what they will avoid.
But there is another contender for this role — anxiety.
Like pain, it can control behavior, and very often it is the invisible amplifier and even the root cause of chronic pain.
What does anxiety do?
— It tenses the body — constantly, chronically, and imperceptibly.
— It heightens attention to bodily sensations.
— It makes relaxation and recovery impossible.
— It creates a vicious cycle: anxiety → tension → pain → more anxiety.
Therefore, anxious people are always at higher risk for pain chronification.
And this is especially pronounced during periods of overload and stress.
That is why I decided to write this post right now — on the eve of Pesach, when my patients start asking:
“How can I organize cleaning without harming myself?”
Physically — this is always individual.
But from the perspective of anxiety — a universal piece of advice is possible.
Anxiety can manifest in different ways:
1. Hypokinetic anxiety
(lethargy, weakness, drowsiness, “can’t get up”)
2. Hyperkinetic anxiety
(restlessness, obsessive thoughts, fussiness, “must-must-must”)
If you are “hypo”
The most harmful thing is to force yourself.
But lying on the couch with guilt is not an option either.
What to do?
Make 3 lists:
(by yourself or with a rabbanit, armed with the book “Shulchan Aruch”)
1. Necessary — only what is strictly required by the laws
2. Desirable — beyond the necessary
3. Ideal maximum — from the realm of dreams
Do only the first list. That is good and enough! We are not aiming to win a contest of martyr housekeepers. The goal is a kosher HOLIDAY.
If you have energy left — take one item from the second list.
If you finish that too — let your soul reach for the third.
But most often:
— You complete the necessary
— You praise yourself
— You spread the second list over the year
— The third — you beautifully frame and name: “Dreams-dreams.” Because dreaming is good, and not dreaming is harmful.
If you are “hyper”
Then on the contrary — plan to the maximum.
Make two lists:
1. Necessary
2. Maximum
Start with the necessary — so you don’t forget the main thing in your excitement.
Then plan each day and fill it with joyful preparation.
This way you will turn anxiety into a sense of meaning and usefulness.
And the pain will decrease. Because the tension will turn into action.
(Muscle fatigue is expected — but we already know that this is something else.)
If you are not preparing for Pesach — replace the context:
Spring cleaning, renovation, “Clean Thursday,” moving, work tasks.
The mechanism remains the same.
