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new year’s resolutions to aid balance in life & work

If you are like me you started 2012 with new year’s resolutions, the best intentions and a life/work balance goal. How are you going?

I had one major goal this summer – to give my adrenals a break.

Here’s what I have achieved so far:

no coffee

Well nearly no coffee. Just a few sips (not close to a whole cup) since 1 January 2012. While I l-o-v-e the stuff – the smell, the taste – my body doesn’t.

Even though I’ve habitually been drinking only 1-2 cups a day, I used to “need” it. Always first thing in the morning to start my day.

And then on hard yakka days I’d “need” another cup around 2-3pm to keep me going.

So the only option was to go cold turkey – no coffee, until I regained control.

What I’ve learnt is that if you “need” it – that’s the worst time to drink it. I needed a coffee boost to keep me going because I was using my adrenals (yes, juggling too much and working too hard).

Sounds like a small goal – trust me, blooming hard. I’ve now got to stage where I don’t feel I need it at all.

no alcohol

I l-o-v-e my red wine & dark chocolate. So nearly no alcohol. Just a few sips (not close to a whole glass) since 1 January 2012. Not ready for sainthood yet.

My alcohol intake has been dramatically less. Thanks to my supportive husband who is on the no booze bandwagon too. Giving up alcohol has actually been much easier than giving up coffee. All in aid of letting my adrenals stop.

daily beach walks

I read a book called “Earthing” over Christmas. Fascinating! The hypothesis (that has been supported by research) is that reconnecting with the Earth’s energy beneath our very feet provides a way back to better health. Check it out at the Earthing Institute.

Again, this was in aid of letting my adrenals stop.

daily ocean dips

I love the ocean water. I always feel better after being in it. For years I have marvelled at the local oldies in the “polar bear beach club” who rain, hail or shine are at the beach from dawn for their ocean dip every morning throughout the year.

They are the happiest people on the planet. They remind me of the movie “Cocoon” – where a group of retirees in an aged care facility access an amazing life force in the pool. Always laughing, warm, gracious, welcoming and full of energy. Many of them who have been faithful ocean dippers for life, are physically amazing.

I want in! Some weeks my life/work doesn’t allow it due to travel commitments. This summer I made it happen. Again, this was in aid of letting my adrenals stop.

no adrenal stress

No adrenal stress has been a long term goal. I have been pro-actively visiting my naturopath regularly every 4-6 weeks for 10 years, with a goal to achieve a “clean sheet” or clean bill of health.

My arch enemy for 10 years has always been adrenal stress.

Adrenal glands are the body’s inbuilt mechanism and their purpose is to aid your emergency flight or fight response. They are not meant to be on all the time. That’s my simple understanding anyway. There’s definitely a more scientific way to explain it, and I’ll let you google that.

Most of us overuse our adrenals – we succumb to the constant demands of work/life today and try to keep up. When the adrenals are locked on it disrupts our whole body balance. I know, I’ve been trying to master them for 10 years!

Each time I visited Helen my naturopath, we’d see the trend improve. Throughout the years I’ve changed a lot in my life to support a “clean sheet” – job roles,
work environments, clients, social activities, exercise, food & beverage intake, sleep.

For a just-do-it personality it’s been quite a challenge – I am a natural go-getter and adopting moderation to aid life/work balance has not been an easy road.

My personal mantra has been balance, balance, balance.

success

YIPPPEEEEE!

I have f-i-n-a-l-l-y finally done it. Got there. So happy.

Can’t believe it really and nor can Helen the naturopath (she checked and double checked the analysis to make sure everything was in order). Proof is in the photo above.

It’s taken 10 years and it’s been a journey. I have mastered my own physical body’s health at this point in time. What a wonderful feeling to finally arrive at the destination.