What Surgery Taught Me About Self-Care
- Rachel Hunter
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
On 3rd July I had to undergo nasal surgery.
Like many people, I approached it with a practical mindset. It had to be done.
As a small business owner.... my focus was on reorganising appointments (with fingers firmly crossed nothing would be cancelled), blocking out two weeks in my diary and preparing everything at home so I could take life a little more slowly.
Although, if I'm being completely honest, I still took home a pile of filing and a list of admin tasks, convinced I'd have plenty of time to get through them.
What I hadn't prepared for was just how much my body would ask of me afterwards.
Recovery isn't simply waiting for wounds to heal. It's giving your body the chance to recover from anesthetic, medication and the physical trauma of surgery. It's about rest—something many of us rarely allow ourselves—and accepting that your body has been through something significant.
It's about slowing down when every instinct tells you to carry on, and that's often where the frustration begins.
Before my procedure I'd mentally given myself permission to stop completely for three days. I thought that would be enough. I was wrong.
Sleep became almost impossible. The inability to breathe properly, combined with the heatwave, left me feeling claustrophobic. Most nights I ended up on the sofa with soft lighting and, yes...my laptop. It gave me something to focus on when sleep simply wouldn't come. Around 4 am I'd eventually drift off for a couple of hours.
Every day I reminded myself, "If this were one of my clients sitting in front of me, what would I be telling them?"
I needed to practice exactly what I so often encourage others to do.
Healing isn't something we can rush. I caught myself comparing my recovery to someone else's who'd recently had surgery and had to remind myself we are all different. Our bodies heal differently, at different speeds, and comparison serves no purpose.
As the days passed, I slowly began to improve.
I booked myself in for reflexology, and it helped beyond measure with relaxation, sleep and managing the discomfort.
I found joy in simple things. I finished a book.
I listened to countless podcasts.
I sat in the garden watching the washing dry. Feeling grateful that the sunshine meant I could get four loads dry in one day.
Small moments became enough.
The experience also quietly reinforced why I believe so strongly in holistic therapies.
I did gentle EFT tapping, rested my hands over my face while using Reiki, and during those wakeful early hours I found hand reflexology incredibly calming. These simple techniques eased my anxiety, helped settle my nervous system and reminded me that healing isn't always about doing more—sometimes it's about doing less, with intention.
One moment has stayed with me.
While I was on the ward I could hear people asking for sick notes, and there was an underlying anxiety in so many of their voices. The pressure to get back to work felt almost immediate.
I completely understood it.
As a self-employed therapist, two weeks away from work meant two weeks without an income. That wasn't an easy decision. But I also knew that returning too soon would only delay my recovery. My health had to come first.
Thankfully, when I was well enough to return, my clients welcomed me back with such kindness and understanding. It reminded me that caring for ourselves isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.
Perhaps that's the real lesson.
Self-care isn't something we earn once we've worked ourselves into exhaustion.
It's something we deserve every single day.
So if you've been telling yourself, "I'll slow down when everything is done," perhaps let today be the day you pause.
The washing can wait.
The emails can wait.
Your to-do list will still be there tomorrow.
Your body is quietly asking for your attention today.
Listen while it's whispering, rather than waiting until it has to shout.
Recovery reminded me that looking after ourselves isn't selfish; it's essential. Whether you're recovering from surgery, navigating stress, or simply juggling everyday life, these gentle reminders are just as important.
A Few Gentle Wellbeing Reminders
Rest without feeling guilty.
Stay hydrated and nourish yourself with wholesome food.
Spend a little time outdoors, even if it's just ten minutes.
Accept help when it's offered.
Take slow, mindful breaths throughout the day.
Prioritise good sleep wherever possible.
Make time for something that brings you peace, whether that's reading, gardening, crafting or simply sitting quietly.
Book regular wellbeing appointments before you feel completely depleted.
Here's a link to some research in relation to surgery and post operative pain https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41603833/
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