samedi 18 août 2012

After the inventory: the work begins

Once you have taken an inventory of the tolerations and what's not working for you in terms of self-care, the real work begins.  Thinking about exercise will not give you health benefits, on the contrary, thinking about doing something and not doing it increases the level of the stress hormones and causes you another level of health damage.  Not funny.

So, where are you doing well and which areas would benefit you the most?  Nutrition?  Exercise?  Less to do?

Many people advocate tackling one area at a time.  I have another view.  Sometimes you benefit by making small changes in a few areas all at the same time.  Let me explain: if your sleep, nutrition and exercise are all quite bad, and you try to sleep earlier, but do it on a full stomach after a huge greasy meal and you don't exercise, you won't feel better.  However, if you strive to eat a little bit better, to go to bed at a more reasonable time and put in some exercise, even a regular walk, you might see some benefits sooner rather than with the first approach.

Challenge of the week: eat a larger meal at lunch, smaller at dinner and a walk after dinner, then bedtime a half-hour earlier.  Let me know how this works for you.

Marguerite Tennier, M.A.
Canada's Coach

Wellness Coach for Women
Fearless Living Coach for Women

http://www.canadas-coach.com
http://www.eftottawa.com