Last week I wrote about stressing less with exercise and ways to help overcome the excuses. This brings me to today’s Tune-in: everyone needs a bit of help at times. If you can’t seem to get motivated or reach your goal, don’t be afraid to ask for help – let your family and friends know about your goals, and ask them to keep you in check. For some this can be a bit scary, but the truth is, it can be a wonderful thing – you are opening the doors of communication and you are also inviting the other person to be open with you, and as we all know, helping someone with their problem is never as tough as dealing with your own.
Need to set some boundaries with when you check your emails? Buy an alarm clock and leave the phone out of the bedroom. Set a goal for yourself ‘no laptop after dinner’ (or whatever works for you). Sometimes I need my husband to remind me ‘no work after yoga’. I’ve now made a rule of ‘no TV after yoga’ too, so I can keep my mind as peaceful as possible before bed!
If you want to be more active, organise hiring a tennis court or going for a walk (the bay run is a favourite for some of my friends) or meeting at a park for some casual cricket or footy instead of always meeting for coffee or a meal. Still love meeting for a meal? Organise both, go for a walk then have lunch at a cafe on the way or afterwards. The weather is nice, what about a picnic?
Sit down all day at work? Ban yourself from emailing anyone who is in the same building as you – walk to them instead, you can always send a follow up email after you have walked to their desk if you need things in writing. Download the Sit Right widget developed by the Chiropractors Association (http://whatsyourposture.com.au/) this reminds you to get up and move every 20, 40 or 60 mins, and has some great tips on how to get moving like walking to the water cooler, having a walking meeting instead of in a board room.
Get stiff and sore after exercise or sitting at work all day? Feel like one side of your body is working harder than the other? Consult a Chiropractor, Bowen Therapist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist or any other body worker to check your alignment and rebalance your muscles and posture.
If motivation is a problem and you feel you may have limiting beliefs around exercise, health or any personal changes or challenges, try a kinesiology session. It works wonders for me!
Is poor digestion making you feel a bit sluggish? Book in with a herbalist, naturopath, nutritionist or someone who specialises in dietary changes and how to get that gut absorbing nutrients and moving properly.
Once you have support from family or friends or health professionals, you will feel that your task is easier and more fun – not just another responsibility or item on your ‘to-do’ list. Yes, you may still need to book it in your diary to make sure you do it, and some days you just may not feel like it, but you will definitely feel better for doing it and taking care of yourself.
Your mission should you choose to accept it: Identify one thing you want to change or need help with and tell someone today that you need some support with it. I promise, it won’t be as scary as you think!