Never underestimate the importance of your feet. If you are on your feet all day, or have trouble with foot pain, check out this article filled with easy ways to keeping your feet healthy.
Winnipeg Free Press: Facing foot pain: Right shoes, insoles, exercises may help to ease discomfort
Julie Entwistle, MBA, BHSc (OT), BSc (Health / Gerontology)
Often I am asked by others how I balance the many aspects of my busy life. My answer is that I just “get er done”. In fact “get er done” is a mantra I use regularly to motivate me to knock things off my list.
For example, if I am driving and realize I will arrive at my destination 20 minutes early, often something (or several things) will pop into my head about how I should spend that extra time (stop into the bank, drop by the post office, grab that birthday present, stop at the store for some fresh veggies etc.). Then, my head starts negotiating with itself (“no, just keep driving and you can check email for 20 minutes in the parking lot”, or “I don’t feel like doing that right now”, or “I don’t need that present until next week anyway”). Really, we can talk ourselves out of anything (mostly healthy eating, getting out of bed earlier, and exercise), but success comes from being able to hear through the noise to make the best decision.
In my case, when my head is conflicted by the devil and angel arguing on my shoulders, I apply the mantra: “Julie, just get er done”. Every time I say this, it springs me into action.
I remember watching a You Tube video by Mel Robbins that clearly explained that thoughts are just thoughts and to turn them into action, we need to attach a physical component. We have five seconds to turn a thought into an action or it won’t happen. So, when hearing the alarm, we have five seconds to throw off the covers and put our feet on the ground, or the “thought” of getting up will turn into the action of not. Same with the thought of exercising: if, within five seconds of thinking “I should go for a good walk” you have not gotten up and moved towards putting your runners on, chances are another thought will tell you to stay put.
So, turn those thoughts into action. Use mantras and physical responses to your thoughts to just “get er done”.
“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
Winnie the Pooh
You have 12 black socks and 12 white socks mixed up in a drawer. You’re up very early and it’s too dark to tell them apart. What’s the smallest number of socks you need to take out (blindly) to be sure of having a matching pair?
3 socks. If the first sock is black, the second one could be black, in which case you have a matching pair. If the second sock is white, the third sock will be either black and match the first sock, or white and match the second sock.
“I think you can destroy your now by worrying about tomorrow.”
Janis Joplin
Are you attached to your smart phone, tablet or e-reader? In this “Health Minute” from CNN Health some potential health risks are revealed regarding our reliance on technology. Ways to reduce the risks are also discussed. Check this out to ensure you are taking care of yourself while still enjoying modern day conveniences.
CNN Health Minute: Aches and Pains from Technology
Spencer West, featured earlier on the blog for his amazing climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, has just finished his “Walk 4 Water” raising funds for clean water initiatives cross the world. Spencer, born without the use of his legs, is a motivational speaker and inspiration to the world. His “Walk 4 Water” took Spencer on a 300 km journey from Edmonton to Calgary to raise funds and awareness for clean water. See a recap of his inspirational journey here.
“The good ole days weren’t always good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”
“Keeping the Faith”– by Billy Joel
A new book called “Eat Well, Live Well with Spinal Cord Injuries“, written by a nutritionist with a spinal cord injury and an Occupational Therapist specializing in neurological disorders, discusses the connection between diet and spinal cord injury. Check out this article explaining how a proper diet can help to reduce complications from spinal cord injury and improve overall health.