Traveling

Without a doubt, travel is necessary.  Deviating from a regular schedule to take a trip often causes anxiety, confusion, and fatigue. When dealing with a medical condition, the change in routine is relevant because you are already predisposed to precarious health. One thing to remember is to take charge!

By taking charge, you are empowered.  You remove negative consequences by realizing what triggers symptoms, like, not enough rest, sleeping irregular hours, too much activity, and irregular meals. So, the second thing to do is make a plan. Have a conversation with a coach, friend, or relative who can help you devise a strategy.

Third, review your plan. Make sure you have all your remedies in place, a strategy for your self care, and anything else you will need to overcome distress. This clears the way for you to finalize the travel arrangements without distraction.

Finally, relax and  have a great time knowing you are in charge of your wellbeing!

Staying Balanced

During this Fall season, along with remembering to rest, might we also consider how to stay balanced? What can you do to add a sense of balance along with your daily activities? When dealing with medication side effects and not feeling well, along with daily responsibilities, it's difficult to remember to keep a restful spirit and maintain balance. And, what does balance feel like?

Balance is stability of body and mind. In today's terms we tend to think of stability as money in the bank, a nice home, a good job, and healthy relationships.  If any of the above are missing, then there is an imbalance in our harmony and equilibrium. How can we rest when this happens?

Remember this, when we feel that there is unrest and imbalance happening in any moment of our lives, it's because we are forgetting that we have the power to change any dynamic that may be occurring by simply stopping, stepping away from the situation, realizing what our inner dialogue is, and consciously changing the thought process. And, if that isn't enough, call your coach, a family member, a minister, a friend or a neighbor to add a layer of support. I sometimes silently chant things like: I am stable in body and mind, I am balanced, I am harmony and equilibrium! Try it -- it works.

If you can think of anything else tell us...

A challenge to rest

Does anyone get any rest these days? Why is it that no one believes it's okay to rest?  I know that I feel more relaxed, more confident, and more alert with plenty of rest. I'm pretty sure that's true for everyone, whether dealing with an illness or not.

Is resting a choice? Do we have to push ourselves to limits that challenge our ability, health, and well being? I don't think we do. So, for this first week of October 2011, I challenge you to incorporate the concept of restfulness into your daily activities. Approach the week with a restful spirit. Listen to your body and stop and rest, if only for a few minutes, to honor it's need to slow down and relax. If life, the job, or a relationship gets overwhelming, just take a few minutes to shift into restfulness. Then, see what happens.

I encourage you to have a restful October...