Movement, oxygen, brain food, hydration, sleep, time in nature, managing stress: these all support our thinking processes.
We can encourage the people we work with to pay attention to each of these. But what are you doing for yourself, so that you show up in the best physical and mental state to work with them?
I’ve started to pay much more attention to the food that I feed my brain.
I love food. And I would say that I have a pretty healthy diet with only a small amount of ultra-processed food. But as I was reading Lisa Mosconi’s book “Brain Food: How to Eat Smart and Sharpen Your Mind”, I realised that I was not maximising nutrition for my brain.
I want to avoid dementia in the long-term. But in the short-term, I want to be alert whenever I am working with others. Present with them and for them. That alertness and presence comes from the multiple sources listed above…I have a good range of cardio, strength and conditioning and weight lifting, so I’m happy with my movement. I am taking in good amounts of oxygen whilst exercising, though I think I could up the ante a bit on that during each and every day (Summer weather will help with that). And I live in a beautiful location, where I can and do restore my attention and reduce my levels of stress through being in nature. I have good sleep habits in the main (except last night when I binge-watched a fab series until 11pm, way past my normal bedtime).
The place I need to make most adjustments right now is in my hydration and my eating habits.
[Takes a pause to get a glass of water.]
I’m attempting to introduce more low GI fruits like berries, cherries, citrus and kiwis; more leafy greens, more high-fat fruits (yes high fat, the brain needs good fat) like avocados and olives; more whole grains; sweet potatoes (love them already); more yoghurt and fermented food; more fish – lots more, again for the healthy oils; more nuts and seeds; less red meat and poultry.
I am feeling the difference. I am generally on better form. And more present in my coaching.
I’m trying to show that better coaching does not just come via a professional development route, but also from personal development. Putting things in place that support our energy, our brain-function, and lower our stress levels.
We are all works in progress and there is always new science to support us to make better decisions. I get that it can be frustrating to read one piece of research one week that is contradicted by another piece of research the next. But we owe it to our clients to be putting the work in.
Don’t we?
This series is inspired by Julia Carden and Elizabeth Crosse, whose research into personal development has got me thinking and stretching myself!
