12 Steps To Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Michelle* tossed me her lucky charm, a box of "Sobriety Test Gum" as we dashed into the car and off to the Dodgers game. Why was it her talisman? The tiny print told all. "Check Ya Self Before You Wreck Ya Self." Now, those are word to live by.

Americans are addicted to the positive strokes of turbo accomplishment. Many are ignoring their most basic needs in the process. Not listening to your body can have disastrous results.

I should know. In the late 90's my life looked like a three lane pile up. After years of working 16-hour days, I ended up burnt out with Meiners Syndrome. (I could see you, but in triplicate and the room would be spinning.) The blurry months and bad decisions that followed set the stage for me to lose my design company. I paid the price for burnout.

Beauty Rest Is For Sissies

As a coach I am observing this is a growing trend for successful working women. Female executives drive themselves as hard if not harder than their male counterparts. However, women have one-seventh the testosterone of men. Testosterone is a key ingredient in drive and endurance. We as a gender don't have the testosterone to support the toxic pace of an 80 hour work week.

Look at the toll overwork has taken on Arianna Huffington. Arianna passed out from exhaustion, broke her cheekbone and got five stitches under her eye. Her story is dramatic, but not unusual. A recent Harvard study found that 60% of American women were getting less than 8 hours of sleep. Are you one of them?

Don't Let Your Schedule Carjack Your Life.

Sure you are busy, but fight back. Take fifteen minutes and "check in" with your body. Maybe it's not very glamorous but don't let that fool you. Taking a small step to take care of yourself can transform your life. If you don't have fifteen minutes in your day for you, there is some thing wrong. Bad wrong.

A box of "Sobriety Test Gum" inspired this post. Here's a 12 Step Program technique to break the addiction of ignoring your body. If you were in AA your sponsor would tell you to HALT. Literally. Stop. Check in to see if you were Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. I add thirsty because most of us are not drinking enough water.

Bod-ese 101

The messages of your body are profoundly articulate. Since they convey so much information, I call this internal language of your body- Bod-ese. You've been getting Bod-ese signals every day of your life. As a baby you knew when you were hungry, thirsty or tired. Your body needed care and you let everyone in earshot know about it.

Now that you are a Big Important Person with Big Important Deadlines, you have better things to than eat or sleep. Your body isn't just an amazing machine, it's also a soulful instrument. Have you been listening to its signals and notes?

12 Steps To Listen To Your Body
In the rush of everyday life, it's easy to be disconnected from your body's needs. Here is an exercise to get touch with your body signals. You may begin by using one or two of the tips, but I wanted to give you a selection to choose from.

1. Turn Off and Tune In
Turn off your phone and all your beeping gizmos. Your body speaks in sensations. It's easier to hear them when it's silent. Exhale tension. Inhale relaxation. Do this three times so you feel more connected to your body.

2. Observe It.
Close your eyes and observe your body. What sensations do you notice? Does your left shoulder ache and your throat feel tight? Take note.

3. Take a Baseline Picture.
Now, take a quick "snapshot" of how you feel. This instant scan of your bod is your baseline reading.

4.Feel A Smile Bringer
Now, think of someone, something, or someplace that delights you. Now, feel your body sensations. Do you feel warmth in your heart? Are you more relaxed, and is your breathing deeper?

5. Feel The Yuck Response.
Now, think of something, somewhere, or someone that pisses you off. (Your email inbox, your boss, or your least favorite politician.) Now, feel your body sensations. Do you feel a sense of uneasiness or coldness?

6. Temperature Check.
Notice the difference. What was the change? It may be subtle. For most folks warmth and ease translate to a "yes" in Bod-ese. Cold and greater tension is a "no" in Bod-ese

7. H.A.L.T.
Are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, or Thirsty? Take a moment and get a Bod-ese read on the current moment.

8. Vote!
Vote for yourself and do what works for you. Give your body a chance to cast a ballot.

9. Give Yourself FAB 15.
What did your body request? Do you need some protein? Are you parched? Is it time to stretch and get some fresh air?

10. Just Do It.
Carve out a 15-minute break to replenish yourself. Enact the request from your body.

11. First Impressions First.
Your first impression is usually the most accurate. Go for it. Like me you may be tired or thirsty when you think you are hungry. (Today I reached for food when my body was...thirsty.)

12. Thank You Is A Magic Word.
Thank yourself. It is a magic word. When you acknowledge yourself for making a positive a step you anchor it.

You are the world's leading expert in your dialect of Bod-ese. Only you can listen to your body and take back your life. Please let me know what you are doing listen to your body. If you have questions please email me at [e-mail].

*This is Los Angeles so, Michelle was my pal, Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and Papas. The car was a limo. The Dodgers Game was the 50th Anniversary of the Dodgers coming to LA. Why the need for a lucky charm? Michelle threw out he first pitch. To see video of our Fellini-esqe adventure, come to www.elidavidson.com

Follow Eli Davidson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/elidavidsonf2f

Comments

[Carol7]

Timely as usual Eli!! Your article really hits home for me and it is so helpful to be reminded that if we don't take care of our bodies, we'll be of no use to anyone. It reminds me of the oxygen mask scenario on planes where you have to take care of yourself before others or you'll just run out of O2. Thanks so much Eli for the "Fabulous" tips and keep them coming!!

[AgingPro]

Eli, you always have a fresh look at how to take care of ourselves. Thank you. These tips are especially useful for caregivers. Caregivers have notoriously let their own health decline. Eli offers great tips on how to protect your own health, preventatively!
As Eli notes, we need to take care of ourselves so we can help take care of others. For me, turning off and tuning in is a big key.

www.AgingPro.com

[HaveAByte]

I kicked my Blackberry into the pool by accident at the start of the labor day weekend. It still worked OK for incoming calls but useless for everything else, and just needed time to dry, but it was pretty nice to be essentially offline. I think your post affected me and my subconscious took action before my conscious mind had the chance! :) I wish it had waited 15 days for the Blackberry Bold to come out though, as this is a good excuse to upgrade, heh.

Also, I'd advise anyone look into break reminder software for your PC. CheqSoft has a really nice one that is especially good for heavy typers who write in long spurts, as it detects this and will issue microbreaks based on this, as well as general rest breaks based on time.

[juliefogg]

I had a similar experience in my pursuit of career and success. But now I am careful to use several of the steps you suggest, regularly. I am adding HALT (#7) to my repertoire so I'm glad I read your article. Heaven help the poor sucker that tells me "no" when I'm hungry or tired. ;)

[EliDavidson]

Dear Nicky D,
Thank you so much for having the courage to give readers a peek behind the curtain of being a television producer.

When I was on The Today Show recently, the producer did a pre-interview with me at 9:30 PM and was back on the set a 5:30AM. I wondered how she did it. Many aren't aware of the insane hours that many face in the entertainment industry. Haskell Wexler’s documentary “Who Needs Sleep” was a gripping film I just saw on Sundance. It raised awareness about the dangers of putting work before your body.

Arianna broke her cheekbone from exhaustion. “Who Needs Sleep?” tells a much more tragic story.
In 1997, after a 19-hour day on the set ssistant cameraman, Brent Hershman lost his life. He fell asleep at the wheel and died when his car crashed.

“Who Needs Sleep?” revealed the dangers that crews in the film and television industry face, working 15-to-18 hour days.

Hershman’s death spurred Local 600 members to push the national IATSE to pass a resolution, proposed by Wexler, stating that fatigue was safety hazard. Thank you again for stepping forward!

[DianaMercer]

I agree! As a small business entrepreneur and owner, it seems like there's never enough time. But I always pay the price when I don't get enough sleep or exercise. I plan to live in this body 100 years....I can't ignore the signs of wear and tear.

[NickyD]

As a Television Producer I have a history of working long hours and not checking in with my body! This meant long days on set and forgetting to eat. Well not forgetting, but not eating breakfast and then having lunch at 3 pm...Years later this has actually taken its toll on my tummy and forced me to sit down no matter what and eat at the same time on schedule every day. I always carry snacks around with me, just in case I can't get lunch right away. So thank you for reminding me and other readers how important it is to CHECK IN with the BOD!

[TheHugYourKidsTodayLady]

Eli,
Thanks for this important reminder. Health really IS wealth. Why do forget this until we're sick - and soon broke?
I left writing my sales column at BusinessWeek.com and speaking on sales for more #4's - more smile bringers.
Your fan, Michelle Nichols http://www.hugyourkidstoday.com

[EliDavidson]

Thx all!

[serenityva]

Being a 12 stepper myself, I was happy to see another way of using the 12 steps. It is very difficult for me to find the time to do all these things. Especially, the first step, how ironic!

Nowhere does it say that all the steps have to be done at once. Like I have heard so many times, it's one step at a time and sometimes it's baby steps at that.

Thanks Eli for reminding me off all the 12 steps!

[Flor]

Eli davidson Tools.....­simply "THE BEST"

[writerlady7]

Great article! Eli's advice is always amazing and her steps are are SO helpful in keeping me centered, grounded, and connected to what what my body's telling me. The first one is my favorite and the one I'm practicing the most:

1. Turn Off and Tune In
Turn off your phone and all your beeping gizmos. Your body speaks in sensations. It's easier to hear them when it's silent. Exhale tension. Inhale relaxation. Do this three times so you feel more connected to your body.

And thanking yourself is so important, too!

http://robotballoon.wordpress.com/

[EliDavidson]

Dear Writer Lady,
I look forward to hearing more about about how you Turn Off and Tune In.
PS Your blog looks...br­illiant!

[ColinF]

OH! and I forgot to say that my favorite was:

5. Feel The Yuck Response.
Now, think of something, somewhere, or someone that pisses you off. (Your email inbox, your boss, or your least favorite politician­.) Now, feel your body sensations. Do you feel a sense of uneasiness or coldness?

Because it simply is a mood enhancer! Plain and simple hehe!

[EliDavidson]

Thanks Colin. What's your Yuck Responce?

[ColinF]

Very nice!!!

Eli does it again! from the tips, to the steps, I know that Eli is elping me turn my life around, I dont know what I would do without her!!