If we consider that everything is energy (as per Albert Einstein) then how we live our lives will energetically impact all areas of our life, whether that be our sleep, our work, our relationships, every person we meet and everywhere we go. If we are living in a way that is exhausting for our body then no matter what we do or where we go, the exhaustion will be felt.
What if there is a way to live that doesn’t exhaust our body and therefore when we do what we do we are not exhausted, whether that be caring for others or not. Our bodies may become physically tired by the end of the day however without that internally drained feeling within the body.
It is a way of living that allows the joy of living to be present in all that we do… where work becomes a joy, and caring for others is also a joy. We have space to connect with others which can be instant. There is an openness and willingness to do whatever is needed. Often the actual tasks take less time and flow easily because there is not the tension and or resistance there to hinder our movements.
Working as a nurse on a ward I became aware of the aches and pains I had in my feet, I bought many different pairs of shoes thinking that the next pair would solve my foot discomfort, which of course it didn’t. I then realised how I was walking through the day and how hard my footsteps were was the real issue. Basically, it was how I was treating my body as a whole. I was driven to get all the tasks done under time pressure and had high expectations on myself that I would get everything done regardless of what that momentum was doing to my body.
Once I stopped and became gentle and self-loving with my body, the way I walked and moved changed completely. I stopped pushing myself so hard and became more focused on my body and how it was moving. I became more physically present with everything I was doing rather than being mentally driven. I was more connected to my body and when I felt it needed to rest I would take the opportunity to sit down, even for a brief moment.
Increasingly now in hospitals these opportunities for nursing staff to sit and take a pause are being taken away, for example the introduction of computers on wheels means nurses spend much more time standing and on the move. Taking that opportunity to sit, especially next to a patient allows not only for ‘a breather’ but supports further connection with those in our care. Patients really love that and so do we.
Every time we stop there is a deeper connection with ourselves and our bodies and as a result a deeper connection with our patients.
When caring for people at home how often do we stop, take time out or accept respite for ourselves? In being honest we would say not very often with our focus being solely on the person we are caring for. This is when we are likely to experience ‘burnout’ and exhaustion. We would then have to question the quality of care given and how supportive it truly is for all involved.
This way of living is caring for ourselves first, nurturing and honouring our bodies in a way that truly supports us to move through life unencumbered. By following the messages from our body it is supported to do what is needed without becoming exhausted itself.