Enemies of the state part 1

5 things that most of us do that sap our vitality and take us out of our flow.

Enemy number 1  - Dehydration
I know I keep going on about this but it really is the simplest most effective way to drain your body of vitality, drain your brain of it's capacity to function at high speed and leave your skin, and eyes looking dull and lifeless. Not drinking! Water that is. No good drinking all your water in one go either, it overloads the organs, sip little and often - especially in this weather!

Enemy number 2 - Poor diet
Want to feel lethargic and low energy in no time? Eat plenty of red meat, heavy, fatty and rich food, avoid all things fresh and colourful. Overcook your food, burn it if you can to really increase the number of free radicals. Avoid using herbs and spices particularly anything contained in Thai food. Then eat it really fast, preferably on the go with great glugs of alcohol. Keep eating past the point you are full and choose your food based on convenience rather than colour, texture taste and smell. Then finish your meal with a big cup of caffeine laden coffee. Do this every day, rather than just for the occasional "treat", with little exercise, and you'll be delighted with the sluggish results.

Enemy number 3 -Adopt the mindset that playtime is just for the kids
If you really want to sap your creativity, take yourself out of the flow then grow up!  Always do those things that adults do, consume yourself with thoughts of paying the bills, doing the housework, performing your daily "duties".

When faced with a problem deal with it rationally, sensibly involving no fun, humour or play. Whatever you do don't get out the big sheets of paper, crayons, play dough, don't make models, don't draw pictures, don't ask yourself how would a young person approach this, and under no circumstances engage a young person or ask the children for their opinion.
When you get stressed or worked up don't go and play in the park, sit on the swings or go exploring. Sit at home, preferably indoors talking sensibly or better still watching TV for distraction and keeping your feelings bottled up.
Avoid anything that reminds you of your youth, turn the volume down on the stereo, don't listen to rock music! Don't dance like no-one is watching. Don't, whatever you do, waste any time enjoying yourself when other more important things need to be done.

Enemy number 4 - Not saying no
This is a biggy, lets face it we all like to help and support those we care for, sometimes this can go too far. An inability to say no often leads to taking on too much always running around doing everything for everyone else without topping up ourselves eventually leaves us tired and worst of all resentful.
Resentment is like a seeping sickness, it poisons relationships, makes us bitter, takes the joy out of previously joyful things. You cannot serve the ones you love by resenting them. So do them and yourself a favour, say no to to those things you know you will end up resenting.
If you've taken on too much, but don't yet feel like you can say no then say yes if you have to, then delegate.

Enemy number 5 - Not saying yes
Being vital and in flow is a great deal about creating serendipity, that is creating luck out of chance occurrences. Quite often to create luck and opportunity we need to notice the synchronicity already occurring in our lives. Allow yourself to be moved by coincidence, notice random connections, pay attention to them. When an opportunity that has "spooky" significance presents itself, due to the fact that you've said no to the other less important stuff, you're in a position to say yes! Roger Hamilton calls these opportunities critical moments. Saying yes at critical moments vastly increases our energy and the degree to which we are "plugged in" to the vital fabric of the Universe.


More enemies of the state in the future, I daren't keep you at the PC away from the sunshine for much longer. If you're up for a little more inspiration or want to comment then please do.

Comments

[Heather Gillam]

Perhaps I should have mentioned (!!) that my website address is www.fitbiztraining.co.uk, you need to click on "Reference" then "Free Downloads"
Heather

[Heather Gillam]

Absoloutely agree with your comments about drinking lots of water and eating a decent diet! All too often more complicated reasons are searched for when feeling lethargic, and most of the time a couple of tweaks to your eating and drinking habits work wonders!
I have written a document called "Ten Steps To A Healthier You!" on my website which you can download for free - you just need to enter your email address to get the link sent to you.
The article is also going to be printed in the next issue of Surrey Monocle magazine.
If anyone wants any help with their nutrition or fitness (motivation or general questions!) please get in touch with me at heather@fitbiztraining.co.uk
Best wishes,
Heather