30 Days of IRIS #17 - Are You Surviving or Thriving
January 31st 2018
What is a making a living really costing you?
For many of us, it’s a juggling act of long working hours, looming deadlines, and endless to-do lists. Our bodies rise to the challenge by activating an adrenaline-fuelled stress response, also known as the ‘fight-or-flight’ system. This response was basically designed to optimise our chances of survival in threatening situations: ‘non-essential’ systems (e.g. digestive, reproductive and immune) are suppressed so that we have more energy to fight harder or run faster. Our predecessors survived war and hungry tigers this way; these days, our ‘tigers’ are often chronic problems, and might come in the form of our boss, our clients, our family, or our own perceived fears and insecurities. A recent Reuters report even claims that stress hormones are having an adverse affect on the world’s financial markets.
To avoid a Wolf of Wall Street melt-down, here are our top 5 tips:
1) Exercise: Regular exercise breaks down stress hormones like cortisol and adrenalin, and releases ‘feel-good’ hormones like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. If your excuse is that you don’t have enough time, then think of it this way: Exercise can help you be more productive, so that you actually end up saving time overall.
2) Eat well. Nutrients are like our bodies’ fuel, and when we’re constantly in ‘survival’ mode, we are at risk of running on empty. Make sure you’re refuelling with plenty of fresh, nutritious food to boost your energy levels and keep your brain and body functioning optimally.
3) Take a break. When you are stuck with a piece of work, no amount of staring at it will make a difference. Be aware of when your brain needs a break, and give yourself permission to recharge by taking a walk or stretching it out. Rather than fidgeting aimlessly with your phone, why not plug your earphones in and enjoy some quality downtime with a few minutes of deep-breathing meditation?
4) Why am I working late? Negative subconscious beliefs can keep us stuck in stressful situations. An excessive ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality, for example, can keep us chained to our desks unnecessarily, or make us feel guilty for going on holiday or taking care of ourselves. In the long run, this leaves us feeling exhausted and resentful. Having a healthy mentality means working smarter, not harder.
5) Have a kinesiology session: Kinesiology is often described as a stress-management/resolving system. Whether it's a horrible boss, a negative belief, a nutritional deficiency or a case of adrenal fatigue, Kinesiology can help get to the bottom of it. True abundance is so much more than a paycheck; it’s about feeling healthy, happy and in tune with what’s really important to us.