Physical exercise is important for people who have high stress jobs or work environments for a number of reasons. I love morning runs on the beach or the road, Sardinia Bay is my absolute BEST! Sunset walks with the family at Sacramento is also just the best, sand and sea water between our toes. Then also love Gym at Virgin, and recently getting back into CrossFit with my friend Jeremy at Lion’s Bay. Main thing for me as a “HEART” person, is it allows me to FEEL my BODY. (More about this in a later post)…
These things have become daily routines for me and have had massive positive impacts on my emotional well being, as a husband, as a dad and as a friend.
Why even exercise?
First and foremost, physical exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health. When we engage in physical activity, our bodies release endorphins, which are chemicals that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. This can help to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and can also improve overall well-being and sense of happiness.
In addition to its mental health benefits, physical exercise has also been shown to have a positive impact on physical health. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, and can also help to improve sleep quality and overall energy levels.
Furthermore, physical exercise can also be a useful tool for managing stress in the workplace. Engaging in physical activity can provide an outlet for stress and can help to clear the mind, allowing individuals to approach their work with a greater sense of focus and clarity. In addition, the social aspect of physical exercise can also be beneficial, as it can provide an opportunity for individuals to connect with others and build supportive relationships that can be helpful in managing the demands of a high stress job or work environment.
Overall, the benefits of physical exercise for individuals with high stress jobs or work environments are numerous and varied. By improving mental and physical health, managing stress, and providing social support, physical exercise can help individuals to better cope with the demands of their work and lead happier, healthier lives.
As you go through your day, it’s important to ask yourself what it is that you truly want out of this world and out of your life. Is it success and prosperity? Is it happiness and fulfillment? Whatever it may be, it’s essential to take some time to reflect on these desires and consider how they align with your values and goals.
PLEASE remember, this is the only life you have, and it’s up to you to make the most of it. I mean as I type that it sounds so stupid, obviously this is my only life Dean, DUH! But… When you wake up in the morning, take a moment to think about what it is that you want to achieve that day. Are there any specific goals or tasks that you want to accomplish? As you go about your day, keep these desires at the forefront of your mind and strive to work towards them with determination and purpose.
“This is your life, are you who you want to be?” – Jon Foreman
As you interact with your friends and loved ones, consider what it is that you want from these relationships. Do you want to build strong, lasting connections with those around you? Do you want to support and encourage one another as you work towards your individual goals? These are important questions to ask as you navigate your social interactions and cultivate the relationships that matter most to you.
Finally, as you lay down to sleep at night, take a moment to reflect on the day that has passed and consider what it is that you really want from your life as a whole. Do you want to make a positive impact on the world around you? Do you want to achieve personal and professional success? Whatever it may be, it’s important to hold onto these desires and work towards them with passion and purpose.
So, ask yourself: what do you really want from your life? This is your chance to chase after your dreams and make them a reality. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Do you want to be successful? Then go out and make it happen! With hard work, dedication, and a clear vision of what it is you want to achieve, you can make your dreams a reality and live a fulfilling, meaningful life.
BUT WHAT IS SUCCESS?
Success is a multifaceted concept that can be difficult to define, but at its core, it is about finding and fulfilling your purpose in life. It is about constantly striving to grow and reach your maximum potential, not just in terms of career or financial success, but in all aspects of your life. Success is also about making a positive impact on the world around you, by planting seeds that benefit others.
To truly achieve success, it is important to first identify what your purpose is. This can be a challenging process, and may involve some introspection and self-discovery. It may involve asking yourself what truly matters to you and what you are passionate about. It may also involve identifying your strengths and areas for improvement, and finding ways to use those skills and talents to make a difference in the world. Some questions later on that…
Identifying your purpose in life can be a challenging process, and may involve some introspection and self-discovery, but like a Mark Twain once said “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
It is about figuring out what truly matters to you and what you are passionate about. This may involve looking back on your past experiences and asking yourself what has brought you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. It may also involve looking ahead and thinking about what you want to accomplish and the impact you want to make in the world.
To identify your purpose, it may be helpful to ask yourself some questions, such as:
What do I love doing?
What are my values and what is important to me?
What skills and talents do I have that I can use to make a positive difference in the world?
What are my goals and aspirations?
What makes me happy and fulfilled?
What “seeds” could I plant that could benefit others (more on this in a later video)
It may also be helpful to seek guidance and advice from others, such as friends, family, mentors, or therapists. They may be able to offer valuable insights and perspectives that can help you clarify your purpose.
Once you have identified your purpose, it is important to set goals and work towards them. This may involve setting short-term and long-term goals, and taking small steps towards achieving them. It may also involve seeking out opportunities for growth and learning, such as through education, training, or new experiences. By setting goals and working towards them, you can stay motivated and focused on your purpose, and make progress towards achieving your aspirations.
As you work towards your goals and grow as an individual, it is also important to remember the importance of planting seeds that benefit others. This can take many forms, such as volunteering your time, making charitable donations, or simply being kind and compassionate towards those around you. Even by planting a seed of an idea for a friend could be incredibly meaningful to them.
“Can I plant a seed?” – DC
By helping others and giving back to your community, you can make a positive impact on the world and contribute to the greater good.
What is success? What does it even mean to be successful? My parents would have different answers, their parents would also have completely different answers, for me, success is about knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and planting seeds that benefit others. By focusing on these key areas, you can create a meaningful and fulfilling life that is rich in purpose and impact, and hey, it might even make you and your people, happy.
John C Maxwell once said, “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” I’m not gonna tell John what to do but I’d obviously add “woman” there…
Being a stand-up guy means owning up to your mistakes. We all make them, it’s just part of being human. But it takes a certain kind of strength to admit when you’re wrong and to try to learn from it. It takes a certain kind of intelligence, too. After all, if you’re not smart enough to see where you went wrong, how are you going to avoid making the same mistake again in the future?
Admitting that you’ve made a mistake can be tough, especially if it’s a mistake that has had significant consequences or caused harm to others, friends or family. It takes a certain kind of strength and character to be able to look at yourself honestly and admit when you’ve messed up. But it’s not just about admitting the mistake – it’s also about learning from it.
One way to profit from your mistakes is to take some time to reflect on what went wrong and why. What led you to make the mistake in the first place? Were there warning signs that you ignored or didn’t pay attention to? What can you do differently in the future to avoid making the same mistake again? These are all important questions to ask yourself as you try to learn from your mistakes.
Another way to profit from your mistakes is to seek out the advice and guidance of others. Maybe you made a mistake in your personal life and could benefit from the perspective of a trusted friend or family member. Or maybe you made a mistake at work and could use the guidance of a mentor or supervisor. Whatever the case may be, seeking out the advice of others can help you gain a new perspective on your mistake and figure out how to move forward in a positive way.
Finally, it’s important to remember that admitting and learning from your mistakes is just the first step. In order to truly profit from your mistakes, you need to have the strength and determination to actually correct them. This might mean making amends with someone you’ve hurt, changing certain behaviors or habits, or even starting a new project or venture in an effort to right the wrongs of the past. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to correct the mistakes we’ve made, but it’s an essential part of the process of learning and growing as a person.
In short, admitting your mistakes and learning from them is just the beginning. It takes real strength and determination to actually correct the mistakes we’ve made and move forward in a positive direction. But with the right attitude and approach, it’s possible to turn even the biggest mistakes into valuable learning experiences that help us grow and improve as individuals.
So, to sum it up: being a man (or a woman, for that matter LOL) means having the courage to admit your mistakes, the brains to learn from them, and the strength to correct them. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. After all, we all make mistakes, but it’s how we handle them that really defines us as people. So, be big enough to admit your mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.
So husbands, go say sorry to your partners
Moms go say sorry to your kids
Teachers go say sorry to your pupils
Friends go say sorry to each other
Maybe today, you gotta say sorry to yourself? Forgive yourself? and figure out how to make the next necessary steps?
Make that phone call
text that friends
Mend that fence
Maybe a closing mantra, “forgive me, as I forgive others…”
Ever wondered why we are all so tired all the time? Why it seems like we can’t ever get enough sleep, like a 4 hour nights sleeps makes us feel like the same as 10 hours.
Burn-out, a lot like field fires, isn’t exactly something I ever actively thought about never mind something I ever thought I would go through. Never in my life did I think I would be on medication and ANTI-DEPRESSANTS to name a few.
A few years back we had a wild fire spread across the Garden Route and Nelson Mandela Bay Area here in South Africa. Homes were lost, people lost everything and fire fighters did everything in their power to stop the speed at which the fire was moving, but sometimes, even when you can smell the fire a mile away, you just simply can’t do anything to stop what’s happening…
So what is burnout/stress/fatigue even and how does this stuff happen?
“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
reduced professional efficacy.
Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”
For me, its was and is like a wild fire…
So on some windy days around here you can smell a fire miles off. There is a fire somewhere in the area and you can smell burning grass. Thats how it happened to me, that’s how I got really badly burnt.
When the wind blows in a particular direction you can smell the fire that’s a long way off, then when the wind dies down, the smell eventually subsides and you kinda carry on with your day. The air still kinda smells and your clothes might even be affected about you move on quite quickly.
There are moments in your week, that have an affect on you, you take a couple hits, things and people hurt you little, there is an argument or two, but you shrug it off, have a glass of wine with two Panado’s and you carry on. You body is still carrying some of the things from that week, still carrying some of the memories of those moments.
Then there are some days that although there may be a fire, you find yourself upwind, so you don’t actually smell anything, you don’t notice anything, you don’t actually take a moment to check if everything is ok, cause, well you’re ok, right? But a friend tells you a story about something that happened, you see something on YouTube or you bump into an ex or friend that has memory attached it.
It’s not that it’s JUST a place of work, people or a person, or even past experiences that sneak up and remind you of hurts or trauma’s. I am who I am, you are who you are. We are all human and we are actually all in this together. But on some days, some days the wind really blows and all the conditions for a raging uncontrollable fire line up.
So on some days, the wind blows, the wind really blows, it’s a hot day and everything begins to move the fire in your direction. You smell the smoke and eventually you start seeing the smoke and at that point, there is absolutely nothing you can do, AND there is nothing you could’ve done to prepare you for the moment and no amount of water in the world is going to slow this all down.
Recognizing the signs of burnout.
There are many potential warning signs of depression, and they can vary from person to person. Some common signs and symptoms of depression include:
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
Insomnia or oversleeping
Changes in appetite and/or weight
Loss of energy and fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Difficulty functioning at work, school, or in social situations
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicidal behavior
It’s important to note that experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that someone is depressed. However, if you are experiencing several of these symptoms and they are interfering with your daily life, it’s a good idea to speak with a mental health professional for an evaluation.
So stay with me on wild fires for a moment…
Wildfires can be dangerous for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is the intense heat and flames that can cause serious burns and injuries. Wildfires can also produce large amounts of smoke, which can be harmful to breathe and can cause respiratory issues. In addition, the smoke from a wildfire can reduce visibility, making it difficult to see and navigate. Have you been in a situation like this or have you met people like this?
Another danger of wildfires is that they can cause damage to homes and other structures. Wildfires can spread quickly and can destroy homes, buildings, and other infrastructure in their path. They can also disrupt utilities, such as electricity and water, and make it difficult for people to evacuate safely. Have you been in a situation like this or have you met people like this?
Finally, wildfires can have a major impact on the environment. They can destroy wildlife habitats and kill or injure wildlife. Wildfires can also release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Have you been in a situation like this or have you met people like this?
Overall, wildfires can be very dangerous and have a range of impacts on people, communities, and the environment. It is important to take steps to prevent wildfires and to follow evacuation orders and other safety guidelines if a wildfire does occur. Have you been in a situation like this or have you met people like this?
Where to from here?
Recovering from burnout or depression can be a challenging process, and it is important to prioritize your physical and mental health. Here are a few tips that may help:
Seek professional help: Consider seeing a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor. They can help you identify the causes of your burnout or depression and develop a treatment plan.
Take care of your physical health: Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. These activities can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Practice stress management techniques: There are many stress management techniques that can help you cope with burnout or depression, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
Set boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries with your work and other commitments to ensure that you are not overextending yourself. Take breaks when you need them, and don’t be afraid to say no to tasks or activities that may be overwhelming.
Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a support group about what you are going through. It can be helpful to have a strong support system to lean on during this time.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and to take the time you need to recover. It may be a long and difficult process, but with the right support and self-care, it is possible to overcome burnout and depression.
Do we need more space?
People who are suffering from mental or emotional health “issues” don’t need “space”. Thoughts can be dark places and it’s impossible to get through them alone. Isolation and loneliness is a killer. It’s haunting.Message your friends, tell them you love them, tell them you value them, tell them want and need them around in the world and that there presence matters. Tell them that when they are ready to try brave the world again and put pants on to leave the house, you’ll be there ready to hold their hand and take it one step at a time. Tell them you love them again and that you really really mean it.
