Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Get into - Positive Self Care
When I've been talking recently to business people and journalists about National Siesta Day and the benefits to our productivity and well being of having a short nap after lunch, the response has often been " Fat chance there is of that! If only...!" The attitude has been that they just don't have the opportunity and 'can't'.... or won't.
The culture in most of northern Europe, and particularly in the UK is that napping is for wimps, a waste of precious time, lost money and productivity and there is barely enough chance to eat a sandwich at the desk, never mind stopping to 'siesta'. "Pooh-ah!!" The culture does not allow for such luxuries. What we don't even want to consider is how much better we function when we are well rested. It's ironic that we protect the very culture that encourages ill health. Why are we so defensive? We probably don't want to stand out as 'peculiar' or odd. "It's just not done!"
But who is it that makes the culture? We may say it existed before we came along and it's so embedded that it can't and won't change. OK. Who is it that continues the culture? The bosses? Maybe, but only in part. It is We who continue the culture, collectively and individually. The heard instinct is to do what everyone else does. We feel the need to fit in, be seen as a 'serious' worker and 'company' person. I've experienced it myself as a senior executive in retail management, for fifteen years until I changed my career towards health during the mid 80's. It hasn't changed much, although technology now gives us more ways to multi-task with, mobile phones (they didn't exist when I was an executive!) texting, emailing and now every-one's clutching a Blackberry.
More than ever before there is the pressure to work harder, longer, and to achieve more and faster. In the 80's my colleagues were burning out by the age of 40 and ending up on the commercial scrap heap, each grasping in desperation at their self appointed role of 'business consultant'. Now it's happening to even younger people. Burnt out by 30 or just hanging on at 35.
If we are going to work so damned hard and expect so much, we have got to take care of ourselves ...ultra-hard.
What I'm about to say, may come as a surprise to some, if we've forgotten who we really are. We are all Human. Yes. I'm sorry to break this news if it's new to you. But it's true. This means that you and I and everyone has 'human' levels of basic needs to keep us functioning. We may do without sleep for a day or two as we work 15-18 hour days, but do that for a week and you'll be not worth the shoes you stand in. Do it for a year and you can take the same and more off your life expectancy. Of course there will be times when we do need to work so hard and that is why we must ensure we are functioning at our best to cope. Otherwise we burn out.
Positive Self Care is about ensuring we function at our best. As we're human, we need sleep, adequate amounts of water, nutritious food, exercise, good breathing and good posture. If we go without them for any length of time, we suffer. You cannot perform at your best when your operating system is undermined. You could take the attitude that you'll fix it when it's broke. But it's far better to avoid that by regular maintenance. Keep the machines well oiled...and I don't mean with booze.
What I see are many apparently intelligent people, doing demanding and very responsible jobs, giving no thought to the 'machinery' that does the job. They have a very irresponsible and unintelligent attitude towards themselves and their health. So burnout is on the cards.
Thankfully there is now a growing attitude with certain individuals where they realise that in order to do the big job, earn high millions in salary, they need to look after themselves well. They are into PSC. Gradually we're cottoning on to the fact that It's cool and intelligent to give high maintenance to ourselves so we can work at peak performance....continuously. The requirements need not cost us any more money that we currently spend.
So what does this involve?
We need the essentials that provide health and well-being. As we are made up of 80% water, and in hot weather we can lose a 1/2 litre an hour, it's sensible to drink lots of fresh water. Drink 2-3 litres a day in summer and half that in winter.
We all have to eat, and indeed we tend to over do this at times, for comfort, stress relief and to satisfy our wildly excited taste buds. Eat nutritious food. So less sugar and carbohydrates, less refined foods, less coffee, and eat more salads, fruit, vegetables and a little organic protein. There's plenty of advice on eating healthily in the press these days. The answer is to JFDI!
Get your rest. 'Early to bed, early to rise' has lots to offer. If you're naturally a 'late' person, then ensure you get adequate hours of slumber. During the day around twelve hours after your deepest night time sleep, you may well get a drop in energy. Take a nap of around 10-15 minutes after you've eaten lunch. Siesta.
Take breaks. Yes, stop work, go out for some air and a change of scene. Even just ten minutes helps to refresh you. On the train, rather than getting your laptop out or paperwork, read the paper or a magazine....or let your mind wander and relax. Try doing Semi-supine for ten minutes. You'll feel refreshed, straightened and relaxed afterwards.
Look after your posture. How you hold yourself affects the whole working of your body. If you work predominantly with your mind, don't forget that your brain needs good blood circulation and oxygen. If you're prone to slouching, stooping, stiffness or collapse, try to free your neck, relax your shoulders and think tall. This will help you be more free and upright. Have some Alexander Technique lessons if you can.
Do regular exercise. Whatever takes your fancy from swimming, jogging, distance running, ball games, Yoga, golf, tennis or even just plain walking. Try and balance your mental activities with regular exercise that will stimulate your breathing and blood circulation. Do something you enjoy, so it is not a task. Happiness in activity helps health as much as the task itself.
Remember to breathe. During times of stress we often hold our breath and this can become a habit. If you notice that you've been holding your breath, start again by breathing out. Try this little exercise to stimulate normal, healthy breathing.
Get a hobby . Something that is mind absorbing and possibly physical too. Something creative that stretches you but can offer real rewards. I play the violin and do photography. There are thousands of activities to choose from. The benefit is that the complete change in activity that's really absorbing and enjoyable for you, helps your health, relaxation and frame of mind so you come back to your work refreshed.
Positive Self Care or PSC, is a growing cultural attitude among people in the know and taking an intelligent approach to helping themselves cope. It makes life far more fun. Get into PSC and help yourself. Your quality of life, happiness and enjoyment at work and at leisure will improve....enormously.
