It is very easy to just keep pushing yourself and wait for the “right time” to take a break.
But you know, the right time is to plan ahead to take regular breaks and prepare your body for a break.
Stress Can Make You Ill
Stress has a nasty habit of creeping up on you.
While you may know or may not know you are stressed your body will suddenly say “I have had enough – TAKE A BREAK” so it gives you one by become making you ill.
I think the first time I really became aware of this situation was when I was a Charge Nurse and had clients in for respite care.
Without fail, the person would come into care for a couple of weeks to give the home carer a break, but the home carer would become so unwell they couldn’t enjoy the break.
More often than not it was usually with some viral infection but it rendered them incapable of being able to visit their loved one.
They were forced to take a rest.
The Stakes Are High
You see, soldiering on for long periods of time does not serve you.
Being a martyr has few rewards, if any, because in the end your body is in charge and will force a rest on you.
The sad thing about this though, is that once the body has reached such a state the ability to remain doing what you are doing, in this case a home carer, gets shorter…
Your body just will not allow you keep soldiering on.
While chesty type things were the most common stress-onset illness, I have also seen shingles and other virus’ or sicknesses occur as well.
You see, everyone has a susceptibility to certain conditions: a tipping point within your body.
How To Protect Yourself
So how can you protect yourself from the susceptibility of certain conditions?
One way is to not allow yourself to become over stressed.
While we all need some stress, as you know, or we would not be able to move forward…
Becoming overstressed, and for extended periods, will cause sickness or disease.
This is a well-known fact. (One source here: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress.aspx)
Time To Moisturize
You see everything you do today affects your DNA and has an impact on you at some stage later in life.
Also as you age, you become more susceptible to certain things.
For instance, dry skin and orifices make it easier for bacteria and virus’ to enter the body.
This is why moisturising the skin, nasal passages and eyes is so important. It helps to protect your body.
Ever Been Sick On Vacation?
Have you ever been overseas on a wonderful holiday only to find you become sick either when you get there or when you get home?
One article I read recently claimed that the quick turnaround of planes has led to substandard cleaning of the planes so virus’ and bacteria’s stay on the surfaces tray tables and arm rests.
Having had one bad experience with being ill overseas, I now combat that by wiping down my tray table and arm rests as soon as I get into my seat.
I then use a moisturising nasal spray and eye drops throughout the flight as well as drinking as much water as I can.
So keeping the skin, and mucous membrane in the mouth, nose and eyes does offer protection.
You can see more in this article: https://nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com/travel/a/28190860/the-gross-truth-about-germs-and-airplanes/#page1
Moisturizing = Protection
Now there is very good reason to keep your skin and mucous membrane hydrated all of the time to help protect your body against the many bacteria and virus’ that cohabit with us.
They are not going to go away…
They have just as much right to be in this world as we do and we actually need them.
They are not all harmful to us but if we provide the right environment then of course they are going to make us unwell.
How To Stay Well
So let’s talk about some things that can help you to remain balanced and free from sickness.
- Obviously the first thing is to take regular breaks throughout the year. While it may be desirable to take one long break, the reality is that you have to wait a long time to get that break. Taking shorter breaks more often, with at least one of them a 2-week break, will help.
- Keep your skin and mucous membrane moist and well hydrated. So drink lots of water, use nasal clear sprays and eye drops. As I said earlier, this is definitely more important as you get older.
- Get plenty of sleep and rest. While I know sleep can elude many especially with age, the body needs to replenish itself from the daily activities you conduct. If you cannot get sleep, learn to meditate or study mindfulness techniques
- Nourish your body with food that supports your body. Avoid “fast” foods that are loaded with salt, fat and who knows what other additives. Add some raw food like salads to your diet.
- Get some exercise. Remember, exercise is cumulative. You don’t have to go out for an hour’s walk or pump away at a gym to get the benefits. Three x 10 minute walks will do as much good as one 30-minute walk. When you go shopping, park as far away as you can from where you are going to go and get your walk in that way.
- Don’t let your inner voice run away with you. The quality of your self-talk will determine the outcome of your day. If you think of every day as being a blessing, and that all things that happen are just an event that will pass, then it will lower your stress levels. In essence don’t allow yourself to over react to any situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc2mJPw_Hv4
- Take some time for yourself each day. Whether it is to read a book, sit in the sun, meet up with friends or meditate. This will rejuvenate you. You know housework and other things we think are important will wait until you are ready.
Ready For A Laugh?
Now with tongue in cheek I have put this video up for you to see.
The images I hope will give you a laugh – hardly appropriate to you no doubt, but the messages are good.
So read the captions and smile! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI0kmozOrng
Take Care Of Yourself
So take care of yourself.
Don’t put your own health at risk by neglecting yourself.
You are important.
If your job is too stressful, then change it and find something else or get some support.
You do not want to subject yourself to some long term health condition because you put yourself last…