It was Sunday afternoon and I was exhausted. I stared at my empty suitcases, dreading having to pack again for the week ahead...
...At 24, I was earning great money working for a national organisation doing risk assessment and audit work. This meant waking up Monday at 4.30am to catch the 6.00am plane, working interstate all week and returning late Friday evening tired and stressed out. My husband of just two months hardly saw me and when he did, I wasn’t very good company. It was not the way to start a healthy relationship!
I knew I had to change my life, but I was caught in a trap. Work made me miserable, but the money held my attention.
My health was suffering. Allergies, asthma, eczema and finally Glandular Fever plagued me. I kept soldiering on, believing I would only keep working like this for a few more years until the house was paid off. My body had other plans. One day, I couldn’t drag myself out of bed and a doctor diagnosed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had ignored all my body’s warning signs.
It took a health crisis for me start making some serious changes to my lifestyle.I have found that so many people are just like me. They only start thinking about their health after a crisis. This is not a good way to live. Some are not as lucky as me: I was able to make some changes to my lifestyle and get back to normal. Did you know the first sign of cardio-vascular disease in around 50% of cases is sudden death!
We live in a world full of deadlines and pressure.When you experience pressure, your body produces adrenaline. If it is not used, it weakens your immune system. In order to keep your immune system functioning properly and to avoid the health crisis, you only need to make three minor changes to your life:
- Burn up the adrenaline by exercising daily for 30 minutes to a point where you are lightly huffing, puffing and sweating. Most people can achieve this by walking and the 30 minutes can be taken in blocks of 5 minutes or 15 minutes.
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your immunity. Aim to eat 5-9 serves of fruit and vegetables a day (a serve is half a cup or a piece of fruit). Eat a banana instead of a chocolate for morning tea. Have a meat and salad sandwich for lunch instead of a pie. Always have a salad with a meal. Your body will love you.
- Turn off the adrenaline tap by taking regular holidays, learning how to relax and taking time for things outside of work that help you to switch off.
No matter what you want to achieve with your life, having your health is a key component. Don’t let your health be the reason you don’t succeed! It is one of your greatest assets.
Author Credits
Heidi Di Santo, Heidi Di Santo Professional Speaking; Donvale, Victoria; Ph: (03) 9841 6566; Email: info@heidi.com.au; If you want a speaker for your next event who lights up the room, has a great message and is powerfully motivating and entertaining, give Heidi Di Santo a call. Heidi helps people and companies to be healthier and happier and works both nationally and internationally. Her sessions range from large keynotes to intimate events. If you would like to see her video showreel, give her office a call. Reprinted from Plus Magazine.