Unrealistic Expectations

Human beings DO NOT have infinite energy.

Human beings were NOT designed to be "on" at all times.

Nature (which includes our own physiology) was designed to work in 'ebs and flows' of work and rest.

I write these reminders as I was in the middle of a very busy work period with an additional role I took on back in the spring - "definitely NOT a rest period" for sure!:

Is it a good work period? YES.

Is it something I enjoy? YES.

Does it take alot of time and energy? Very much YES.

... I'm pooped, and only at the halfway point (at the time of writing this) of a VERY busy 6-week period.

Be Realistic with Where You're at

What I am describing we've all been through at various times in our lives. I've seen it countless times with clients over my years coaching in the fitness and health industry. The issue isn't necessarily THAT we push ourselves or work hard, rather the issue arises when we do so BUT...

-CONTINUE to push ourselves further, beyond our own individual capacities

-DON'T give ourselves self-compassion and understanding of our current situations

-DON'T recognize our limits

-BEGIN negative self-talk

-ALLOW "the push" to continue too long

More, and more... AND MORE!

As I mentioned, nature is a series of ebs and flows, work and rest and this is how our body and mind works as well. We need both. Both are good.

Too much of either however is bad.

During times of "big pushes" or hard work such as a few weeks of a busy calendar overall, working through a big project at work or planning a big upcoming event over the period of several weeks for example we need to UNDERSTAND that our human energy is NOT infinite. If we're pushing ourselves and working hard for a period of time, we have to allow ourselves to understand that we CANNOT push MORE and that it's ok to ease up on some things, while other things are pushing harder. When we continue to push more and more and more without rest, a recharge and time to recover, THAT is where our health takes a hit.

I've seen it over and over again;

-Clients who burn the candle at both ends, yet continue to get down on themselves for not reaching their health and fitness goals and not being able to be consistent with their health practices.

-People just doing all they can to earn a living, working crazy hours, raising a family and running through their day to day on autopilot, wondering why their energy has disappeared

-Professionals (myself included) who have completely burned out physically, mentally and emotionally and different points throughout their career (it's a sadly common thing in the health profession)

Modern humans push, push and PUSH until we've run ourselves through the ground!

What would you tell your kids? Friend? Family member?

During these periods, we need to ask ourselves; "What would we tell our kids? our friend? or our family member?" Most of us would provide compassion and support and say;

"You need to give yourself a break - you're burning out and can't just go-go-go"

This is a reminder we need to tell ourselves in these situations. Having that self-compassion and understanding of our current reality will help us make better informed decisions about what we can do to work WITH these big pushes rather than against.

WHY would we ask MORE of ourselves during times when we're GIVING everything already? It doesn't make sense. Yet this issue is repeated over and over in our society. We become stronger and healthier, when we LEARN from these times and MAKE CHANGES the next time these intense periods come around.

What CAN we do during these periods

Here is a list of things we can do for ourselves during periods of heavy work, commitments etc...

1) Cut back where needed. In regards to our health practices, when our energy is going into other areas of our day to day for a stretch of time, don't try to continue to push yourself in the same ways; be it diet, exercise or mental workload. Cut it back a bit. Ask yourself "what can I do that is SOMETHING but that also won't take as much energy to accomplish".

2) Don't ADD anything new. Just as I used to teach my athletes to not try anything new in regards to exercise or diet around competition days, when we have lots going on stick with what WORKS for YOU. Don't add the stress and energy of trying to implement something new.

3) Focus on SLEEP. Seemingly always overlooked, our sleep is on the same level as our movement and nutrition practices. During busy times when we don't have the physical or even mental energy to do as much as we might when our schedules are more relaxed, focusing on sleep is a way to do SOMETHING positive for your health. Habits surrounding your sleep quality and quantity will help your energy levels to get through your busy period.

4) Ensure at least SOME time to RECOVER. In other words, ensure that no matter how busy you get during these stretches of time, you allow SOME time each day for recovery. This can be as simple as 5min at a time or if you're lucky an hour or more each day. Just make sure it's there. A time when you can step back from whatever is heavy in your days and your mind, body and soul can slow down, change things up and even have fun! This practice along will give you a nice energy boost.

5) Utilize Mother Nature. Our species evolved in nature, so it is no wonder there are ample benefits to our deep health by simply ensuring we get a good does of mother nature on a regular basis. During times of heavy work/schedule/energy draining activities, getting outside each day will help provide you with a host of benefits to your well being. Sunlight, fresh air, beautiful surroundings (flowers, forests, lakes, rivers etc), changing environments and more will give your body and mind a break.

REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING & SELF-COMPASSION

In our modern world, having this understanding that human energy is NOT infinite can help create self-compassion when it comes to our own recovery, resilience and repair. That in turn benefits our health and wellbeing.

Our daily lives use up energy; Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Irregardless of what aspect of our being that energy is taken from, we have to remember that it IS taken away. And in order to build it back up, we HAVE to slow down and recharge.