With the first bank holiday of the year almost upon us, giving a glorious four day weekend – hurrah (!) – this seemed like a good time to talk about the importance of spending time outside every day. Not only does it feel good to have time outside and away from the hurly burly of modern life, but natural daylight plays an important part in helping set our natural body rhythms. Often referred to as the Circadian Rhythms, they control many different body functions including the sleep-wake cycle, release of hormones, body temperature, eating habits and digestion. 

It’s been a while since we’ve talked before about people’s tendency to make snap judgements on whatever is happening in their lives.  

 

“This is good, that is bad.” “She is nice, he is horrible.” Not forgetting the perennially favourite one: “How can she – or he (!) – go out looking like that.” And, if you think you’re above all those petty judgments, think again… 

 

However, it doesn’t stop there. 

A few weeks ago we looked at how rubbish in, rubbish out doesn’t just apply to computers. If you missed it, you can find it here. Put another way, if we don’t put the correct “fuel” in our tanks, how on earth can we expect our bodies to function at their best, or, in the way we would like?!? 

 

We then gave a few slightly tongue in cheek suggestions of things to look for that indicate whatever “food” you’re looking at may not be the best thing for you – or your body. You can find it here. 

Opening our e mails the other morning and, as is traditional, making full use of the “delete” button to bring the inbox down to a more manageable size (!), it struck us just how many requests there were for feedback.  

 

Sadly, most of these were auto generated, with a distinct odour of “ticking the box”, rather than being a genuine request for feedback which would be used to improve their goods or service. Or, dare we say it, for the benefit of the Customer rather than the Company (!). Deep calming breaths all round… 

A couple of weeks’ ago we looked at how rubbish in, rubbish out doesn’t just apply to computers. If you missed it, you can find it here.  

Put another way, if we don’t put the correct “fuel” in our tanks, how on earth can we expect our bodies to function at their best – or in the way we would like?!? 

 

Despite understanding this in theory, many people seem to struggle putting this into practice. Find deciding what to eat completely confusing and overwhelming. Let alone what may – or may not be (!) – a good choice. 

We all love a great story, the more dramatic, the better. And, preferably, with a few twists and turns along the way to ratchet up the emotions and suspense even further. 

 

So, what starts out as something quite small and, dare we say, commonplace ends up as a much more exciting adventure – or even saga, lasting much, much longer than was strictly necessary… 

 

We’re sure you can easily come up with many examples, whether your own or from other people who have been kind enough to share them with you (!). Whether you asked them to or not… 

 

The question we never stop to ask ourselves is whether all this exaggeration really helps us. Is it our friend or foe? 

Diet is one of those topics we talk about regularly, whether here on the Blog and with Clients. What never ceases to amaze us is how little thought – or planning – seems to go into what many people are eating each day. Whether on their plates or, increasingly, on the go. And, while most people are ready to accept the maxim of “rubbish in, rubbish out” as far as their computer is concerned; for some reason this logic often doesn’t seem to stretch as far as their bodies. 

 

Why is this? 

 

Well, we’d love to say there was one very simple answer but, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. From our perspective there are many different factors at play accompanied by a large dose of irony. And, if that sounds like a strange thing to say, we’ll explain why. 

Yes, we know it’s rather a cliché, but it doesn’t stop it from being true… 

 

We’ve all met – or know (!) – people at both ends of the age spectrum. Those who seem to be old before their time. Or, perhaps, have always been old in terms of their outlook on life. David refers to them as “Junior Pensioners” which may be slightly uncharitable but a good way of describing them (!). 

 

Sadly, their glass always seems to be half empty… “It can only get worse.” “It’s all downhill from here.” “What can you expect at my age?” And we heard these all – and more – from someone in their 30’s recently… 

We’re often asked why we talk so much about Mindset or, as we usually call it, “the Little Monster in our Heads” (!). Is it really that important – or just another of our pet subjects?!? 

 

Well, the simple answer to both questions is undoubtedly “yes”, for several different reasons. 

 

Whether you consider yourself as working with people or not – and we all do to some extent (!) – it very soon becomes apparent how differently people react and then deal with the same – or similar – issues. Situations, people or events. 

With the pace of modern living, it’s not surprising that eating on the go – otherwise known as “grazing” or more traditionally as “snacking” (!) – is the norm for many people. Not only does it seem like the easy way to keep hunger at bay, it “saves” the time needed to prepare, cook and sit down to have a leisurely meal. Time saved. Cost saved. A good solution all round. Or so it seems… 

 

The question we’d like to ask today is whether your body would agree?!?