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Making Work, Work For You
By: Wendy Nickerson, Psy.D
For decades people have been struggling to deal with the challenges of their working environments. They have managed to change many things. The one thing that we all have the most control over changing, however, is ourselves. Let's talk about some ways that we can all develop better relationships with ourselves. I'll touch on methods from all spheres of life; physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual.
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Physical: Nutrition, exercise, and proper rest are the three basics here. Remember to respect your body for the complicated machine that it is. Eat as many foods as possible in their natural form. Experiment with different combinations of vitamins and minerals to see what works for you. Find exercise that is fun for you. Do it in moderation with a friend. If you are not getting enough rest, try taking a warm bath and drinking some warm herbal tea before bedtime. Make your sleeping area a sanctuary. Have pictures or items in the room that represent serenity for you. Don't fall asleep while watching violent shows on television. Your unconscious plays them over numerous times throughout the night, affecting your mood the next day.
Emotional: Spend a couple of minutes each day just practicing being aware of what emotions you are feeling. Don't shut this part of your life out. It is telling you a lot. If you refuse to feel the so called 'unpleasant' feelings, it is unlikely that you will experience or recognize true joy, happiness, or feelings of contentment. But don't allow guilt to run your life. It is not a constructive emotion and most of the time it is based on irrational thoughts. Meditate each morning, if even for a few minutes while the coffee is brewing. Keep a journal to use daily to help clarify and make sense of your feelings, especially if you are healing from a loss of any kind.
Psychological: Get rid of the old tapes that say "you are not good enough." Practice positive affirmations to yourself while in the shower. Do things that you enjoy. Life is meant to be enjoyed. You will be much more productive at work that way. Do you know of many people that are productive while they are suffering? Be aware of who you feel good around. Avoid people who drain you. Set limits with others, and learn how to say 'no.' Listen to inspirational tapes in the car on your way to work. Limit how much news you read and watch. It is skewed to the negative and will alter your perceptions of the world. Have good friends. People who you trust and who accept you just as you are. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things and new ways of being and thinking. Know your life's purpose and try and stay in alignment with that as much as possible. If you don't, you will feel unbalanced and it will be more difficult to enjoy life.
Spiritual: Take the time to know who you really are. That may involve a walk on the beach, in a park, a long bath, writing in a journal, or just sitting. Yoga seems to be very good for soul time, too, as it encourages us to be aware of our bodies and our thoughts. Do things or go places that foster feelings of serenity. For some that might involve a trip to Sedona, while others might cherish a visit to Rockledge Gardens, or spending fun time with the family dog. Give to others. Just do it!
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