It is important to be useful Ringo, as one of my male “luckies” reminded me of recently. So, it is time for me to be useful to my sweet followers!
I have been suffering from shocking neck pain for the past 2 months having spent the equivalent of a developing country’s GDP on seeing multiple specialists (cardiologist, nutritionist, physios x 3, spine surgeon, GP, massage therapists x 2, a swag of prescription and over the counter pain relief medications, scans, two types of unsuccessful injections, and finally, my yoga instructor just simply stated on Saturday morning as I arrived for class, “Robyn, you need to change the narrative with yourself”.……
So, I did. During the class I made the bold decision to stop taking all the pain relief medication that was not working in any case, focus on what my body was allowing me to do, keep doing the exercise I enjoy, and focus on my mental and physical wellbeing.
As I am sure most of you have been receiving various Insta bombing posts over the new year on the benefits of reducing cortisol and inflammation in the body, eliminating sugar, and well we know that white carbs are the forbidden fodder these days, so they should have already ceased as a food group in your life per say.
Despite what some think, I am actually very good at following instructions! So, I thought I would be useful and compile a simple to follow action list of what we should all be doing to get on the right path for 2025 prior to hitting February and feel the year starting to slide.
Purchase The Wealth Money Can’t Buy, by Robin Sharma, this is the bible for 2025, buy it, read it, listen to it, get someone else to read it to you, whatever it takes, trust me this is a do not past go life enhancer, you’ll thank me later.
Sugar is the enemy. I have been saying this jokingly for years but now I do actually believe it. I have a love for ice cream and black forest cake beyond the rational, however I can see clearly the risks that as you get older can easily occur around weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, chronic inflammation, skin aging, with some studies even suggesting sugar can cause cancer and dementia. I am getting it out of my life for a period of time (I am not committing to a date, but let’s just say until the 12th February when I head to the ice cream capital of the world!) to monitor the hopeful feelings of wellness. Day 2 and I am feeling good!
Sleep. I dread going to bed. It is an awful feeling. Will I sleep, tossing and turning, moving beds, late night reading, cups of tea, should I take a sleeping tablet, God it’s not working, should I take another one, I have to be up in 2 hours, I should just get up. This has been my pattern for years. Well, I am taking charge and enlisting a non-negotiable sleep routine. Eat dinner by 7pm, light exercise or yoga in the evening, some TV, no devices after 8pm, a warm shower, sleepy tea, read for 30 minutes then lights out by 9.30pm listening to some weird rain falling on small leaves app! (as opposed to large leaves, who even thinks of these things!) Oh and no alcohol during the week…..
Exercise is King. It is really simple. Exercise, eat smart, sleep more, be a decent human. Repeat. This is my plan to reduce cortisol and inflammation in my body to see if it has a positive effect on my neck pain that I am choosing to ignore. Cortisol provides energy, reduces inflammation, helps manage stress and regulates blood pressure. Now we are through the crazy season I am embracing all forms of exercise and making it a priority for every day.
Laugh as often as you can. Seek out the ridiculous, the hilarious. The only plus for social media are the funny videos to share with the “luckies,” honestly, I cry with laughter every day finding things to send to my friends and kids. I enjoy mostly laughing at myself, the best cure of all. Laughing reduces stress, boosts immunity, improves heart health, relieves pain (got it!!), promotes muscle relaxation, and prevents weight gain. What a winner and it is free!
Water is the essence of life. It is the best drink you will ever have. One drink you can never overindulge in. I am up for excessive water drinking!
Find your Food. There are a mine field of diets, apps, food apps, apps that bring you food. Enough. Just sit down, take an hour to work out what you love to eat, buy seasonal fresh produce, no preservatives, cook at home, invest in good oils and French white wine vinegar. Become friends with your butcher, local fruit and veg stall or farmers market, make food a ceremony. I choose the Mediterranean diet. I feel international saying I am eating it and closer to a beach destination! If all else fails eat boiled eggs!
Without getting all woo hoo on you, we really need to embrace mindfulness, gratefulness and meditation, there must be an app that covers all three! It is after 8pm so will check it out tomorrow. Meanwhile I will have to resort to the rain falling on small leaves app tonight to instill calmness. Seriously though, the power of practicing gratefulness is rewarding, affirming, and brings reality to our lives daily, providing perspective and shines the light on the insignificance of our presence, but perspective on what we need to aim for while we are here.
Love is the drug. I see it everywhere. A couple today on the street, in their late 50’s walking along holding hands, stopping, and then just hugging and kissing each other. I was on the cross trainer at the gym watching this and wanted to run out and say – good for you! We need to make love the centre, build up the love bank. Radiate love to ourselves, friends, family, kids, partners. We all need it.
So, my useful tip to you, is drink water, exercise, sleep more, cut out sugar, laugh, love, be grateful, eat like a Greek, then you will be healthy on the inside and out, more relaxed, looking vibrant, motivated, highly likely to shed some weight, and I guarantee you will save money in the process, for that trip to the Mediterranean!
XX Ringo XX