Tag: energy

The Christmas Rush

Christmas can be a time of of scheduled events, family and friend catch ups, gift and food shopping, racing round to see those lights. For me its a time of thankfulness, blessing and promises fulfilled and I like to make sure I have moments to stop, rest and enjoy the togetherness of family and friends.

Christmas is also a time of traditions and habits , things we do every year because we have always done so. I have spent my time this year assisting my clients in developing healthy breathing and activity habits and hope that they continue into the new year seeing the fruits of their labour.

I heard recently that we can be so caught up in being busy that we think that this alone is enough for justification of our time. Instead we need to stop and look to see if, and what, we have actually achieved, and if we cannot see something for our efforts then we need to re-calibrate and be more purposeful in our actions and not just busy.

I saw a video recently of Bill Gates talking about time and of a friend who had showed him his diary with spare days in it instead of every one filled with appointments. He had said to Bill, “I can buy anything I want but I can’t buy time”.

So this Christmas try to slow down and simply breathe…, noticing the breath in ….and out…, feel your muscles release and relax…. and give your time where it can be purposeful and make a positive difference.

The Humble Dressing Stick

Recently I met with a patient who was frustrated over her difficulty in removing a pair of trousers with ankle elastic. Breathlessness and inability to bend for sustained time was the source of anxiety. There sitting on the shelf unnoticed and looking rather understated was the dressing stick awaiting its moment of glory.

Sliding it down directly over the heel through the pant leg and with a slight raise of the bent knee was all it took to remove the offending piece of clothing.

We all like to be independent and manage things without resorting to aids but take a moment and consider the humbleness of this simple stick with a hook and give it the glory due. No matter your age, this stick can make your life just a little simpler.

Factors Affecting Breathlessness: Keep it close

A third way to reduce breathlessness in activity is to keep it close. So bring the work space up in front to waist level so there is no reaching and bending. This lessens the load on your heart and lungs thereby reducing the energy need and your level of breathlessness.

This can be done by putting the task on the table in front and sitting or by doing it on a table in standing or at a bench. The other way we have talked about previously is to have important daily used items on shelves between hip and shoulder height thereby bringing the activity closer to waist level.

This is the same for if you are lifting or moving items. Keeping it close reduces the strain on your arms and reduces your level of breathlessness. Remember never to hold your breath whilst you are lifting but continue to blow out through pursed lips in a gentle manner, always looking for ways to slide the load , break it up or use a trolley.