Archive for the ‘Rest and Recovery’ Category

If you are heading off on your holiday soon I’m sure you are hoping for some rest and recuperation. But before you go, do you find yourself being extra busy just before you go away?

You rush around trying to squeeze in as many jobs as possible to meet a self imposed deadline. As your final day in the office draws closer it may be frantic but you find yourself getting more and more focused.

You find yourself making better decisions about what is important and what isn’t.
You are prepared to delegate more or bat things away and not add more to your workload.
You decide to actually ditch a few jobs.
And you work more on the basis of getting things 80% right rather than aiming for perfection.

It’s amazing how much you can get done when you really do have to be away from the office.

So why do you work in this way when you know you won’t be around for a few weeks yet don’t do it the rest of the year?

If we allow it to, work will always expand to fill the time available. The only thing that changes is your perception and attitude.

So this time around have a good rest and come back with a changed attitude as well as a suntan.

With the World Cup here it is very easy to get into the habit of sitting in front of the television all evening with maybe a few drinks and some snacks to keep you going.

However, looking at the football professionals on your screens, why not take a leaf out of their books and take the opportunity to up your exercise regime, eat more healthily and increase your energy.

Whilst away in South Africa Fabio Capello has got his team all sitting down to dinner together with no one leaving before everyone is ready to go. So why not encourage your family to eat together (even if it is whilst watching the footie…well it’s a start!)

Think about the food you are putting into your body. Are you treating it as a high tuned engine and using the best fuel? Or are you filling it up with low grade fuel which will cause wear and tear and lead to poor performance? It is easy to find healthy alternatives to snack on and healthy food doesn’t have to be boring or take a long time to prepare.

By all means have a drink but just watch how much you are consuming. Try alternating an alcoholic drink with a glass of water or fresh juice.

Invite a few friends round. Social interaction lifts our spirits, increases our energy and helps build our immune system.

… and why not take advantage of the longer days and have kick about in the local park to burn off some of those calories and have some fun. All you need is a football and jumpers for goalposts!

We all need to be touched. Some of us may shun away from those people who are a bit more “touchy, feely” than us, but nevertheless we still need to be touched.

Being touched gives us a sense of security, safety and comfort. It also helps our body grow. Did you know that if a new born baby is not held and cuddled regularly it will become ill and can die?

The power of touch can also help our body repair and recover.

A massage is not used purely for relaxation purposes, although this is one of its benefits. It can help our muscles recover, loosen up when tight and helps the lymph glands work better at draining away toxins in our body.

Milina McKellar, a holistic massage therapist, says that a massage

“helps to support and balance the whole being rather than concentrating on one set of symptoms or a specific illness. It stimulates the body’s own natural immune system and healing powers by helping to promote relaxation.

It works on the soft tissues of the body and can be applied to both superficial and deep muscle tissues.

It encourages the process of detoxification and energises the whole body, thus harmonising and working on all levels of mind, body and spirit.”

So don’t shun away from a hug or a cuddle from a loved one, be more open to the power of touch and maybe try out a massage to see the benefit it brings.

For more information about Milina’s holistic massages contact her at milina@thepoweroftouchmassage.co.uk
or visit www.thepoweroftouchmassage.co.uk