Simply Woman! by Crystal Andrus
Many of us are programmed to believe that we are selfish or thoughtless if we take care of our own needs. We struggle with all that we have to do, resentful and running on empty most of the time, yet we refuse to do something proactive to change it. One thing we can do is simply learn to honour ourselves and set reasonable personal boundaries.
Setting boundaries is necessary in every relationship. At work and with friends and family, all succeed better when we all acknowledge and respect each others personal boundaries.
Without them, marriages crumble, friendships are ruined and children become rude and impertinent. Devoid of personal boundaries, we can wound our spirit by mistreating our bodies with excessive food or medicine, drugs, alcohol, or meaningless sex.
When I tell women to start making themselves a priority, many feel as though I’ve added one more task to their already daunting to-do list. However, this one is necessary if you want a joyous and fulfilling life. It’s like when the mask drops down if oxygen levels get too low on an airplane. We are instructed to put our own mask on first before helping our child.
If we aren’t okay, we are useless to everyone else. This is about honouring and celebrating yourself, and life. Take time for exercise, for time alone and for personal development. If you aren’t living the life you want, eventually all the other things will fall apart anyway.
Nutrition
Not many people can be exuberant when they are famished. Just think of how cranky we become when we have gone too long without eating. Whenever I think that maybe food isn’t a necessity in our pursuit of joy, I look at what happens to my normally joyous and happy children when they suddenly get hungry. We all need to eat to feel strong emotionally and physically, and although I do feel that a three-day juice fast once or twice a year is essential for optimum health, consistently going too long between meals cannot only lead to bingeing, it leaves us feeling shaky, miserable and very joyless. Isn’t it ironic that too much food can bring us so much misery, and yet without it we die.
Take inventory this week, and make sure you are getting your three meals and two snacks every day, and not going more than four hours without eating.
Cut back on alcohol
I know how wonderful a glass of wine can sound at the end of a long, stressful day, but it may actually be our worst enemy. Alcohol is a depressant, not only on our mood and energy level but also on our metabolism. It dehydrates, causing water retention. It is very ageing, and because it is calorie-dense, it packs on the pounds quickly. Alcohol also depletes the body of vitamins C and B-complex. Plus, it is deadly to the liver. Women are more likely than men to develop cirrhosis of the liver and other related diseases, and because drinking is not as socially acceptable for women, they are not as likely to reach out for help.
More importantly, realize that we only choose to numb that which we are afraid of – what we can’t face. If you are drinking every day or need alcohol whenever a crisis hits, look within and embrace the fact that life will never give you more than you can handle. Each time you rise above your desire to drink you can find your true strength, which has always been within you.
Get enough sleep
The average adult requires seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. A lack of sleep will increase your susceptibility to illness and is linked to car accidents and industrial accidents. It will make you irritable, exhausted and even depressed. Sleep is also the time that our anti-aging hormone is released. Without deep sleep we are inhibiting our growth hormone thus speeding the aging process. If a lack of sleep is affecting your daily routine and/or causing depression, please seek help from a medical doctor or naturopath. You honestly cannot feel joyous about life when you are depleted and drained.
Exercise
If you are not shedding the pounds, it is time to become the cardio queen. Are you doing your optimal amount of cardio? Regardless of how many times you’ve been doing your cardio up until now, do it six times a week from now on at a hard intensity for 40-45 minutes. While you are shaping and sculpting those muscles, you have to burn the fat. Cut back on your carbs and increase your cardio. It works.
Crystal Andrus’s column is a condensed version of her new book on personal transformation. She is an authority on women’s health, a sought after speaker and author of the best seller Simply Woman! The 12 Week Body/Mind/Soul Total Transformation Program. www.hayhouse.com/details.php?id=2247
www.simplywoman.com
