Amanda Balionis, known for her dynamic role as a golf reporter, recently faced a significant health challenge due to a pinched nerve in her neck. This condition led to debilitating symptoms, including nerve irritation and discomfort in her shoulder blades, compelling Balionis to rethink her lifestyle habits. In a candid update on her Instagram story, she detailed her experience and the important lessons she learned from it.
After undergoing a scan in New York, Balionis received the diagnosis of a bilateral herniated disc at C7, which now affects her on one side. Thanks to chiropractic treatment and steroid injections, she has seen significant improvement in her symptoms, alleviating some of the pain she endured. Furthermore, Balionis expressed gratitude for a lighter work schedule that has contributed to her recovery.
“One day I’m going to learn this lesson without doing it the hard way,” she reflected, underscoring her newfound awareness regarding the impact of stress on her physical health. This break from her fast-paced routine has served as a crucial reminder for Balionis to prioritize her well-being.
Balionis Calls for Awareness and Listening to the Body
In her message to followers, Balionis emphasized the importance of tuning into bodily cues rather than succumbing to ego-driven urges. “I have to keep reminding myself right now, continue listening to my body, not my ego… Slowing down matters. Listen to your body, everybody,” she urged.
Striking a balance between ambition and self-care has proven to be a common struggle, and Balionis is no exception. She acknowledged the challenge of maintaining productivity while recognizing the need for rest, and this struggle resonates with many.
For the past month, Balionis has put her fitness routine on hold, a rare decision for someone accustomed to an active lifestyle. By embracing this vulnerability, she highlights the significance of taking a holistic approach to recovery—considering both mental and physical well-being. She remarked, “You can’t lie to your body. A forced physical, emotional, you know, mental break that was absolutely needed.”
Improving Health and Adjusting to Change
With her symptoms gradually improving, Balionis reflected on how her herniated disc first flared up toward the end of the golf season. The transition to covering the NFL, combined with increased travel and time away from home, exacerbated her condition. However, with the NFL season tapering off, she is beginning to regain control over her life and health.
“I’m actually really lucky that my pain is only on my left side; it is so much better. We did another round of steroids that helped so much and also my schedule has slowed down a lot thanks to the Lord,” Balionis noted, indicating the positive changes in her health.
In her Instagram story, she also provided valuable insights into what it means to listen to one’s body, sharing practical strategies that have helped her maintain a healthy work-life balance. Balionis, once solely focused on her career, learned through therapy to allow her body’s signals to guide her decisions.
Practical Strategies for Self-Care
For Balionis, physical discomforts—such as pains in her back—serve as reminders to address stress and grief. She identified a lack of energy to engage with others as a critical sign to slow down, recommending journaling as a means of addressing underlying issues.
Moreover, Balionis advocates for meditation, especially through the Calm app, which assists her in coping with irritability and anxiety. To manage physical inflammation or stress, she suggests listening to calming podcasts while taking leisurely walks to regulate her hormones.
Ultimately, Amanda Balionis encourages her audience to recognize their bodies’ signals before they escalate into more severe issues. Understanding and responding to one’s body can be empowering. By framing her health setback as a learning opportunity, she illustrates that true strength often lies in pausing and listening to oneself.
