Five Ways to be more Response*Able*

You're probably one of the most Responsible people around. People depend on you.

But, are you Response*Able*?

Do you sacrifice your needs while you work hard, take care of others & do your duty? Admirable, but there is a catch...

If we spend all day focused on everyone else's needs, we leave little time & energy to take care of ourselves. At the end of the day, we're drained & stressed, paying a significant price for all this self-imposed "responsibility"...

maybe the price is resentment

or excess weight,

or even chronic illness.

Can you name the price you're paying? Eventually, being too responsible leads to being less effective.

But, there is hope! By changing our language from "responsible" to "response*Able*" we cause a new definition, - the ability to respond, that brings a sudden shift in energy & power.

As response*Able* people, we are empowered to meet our daily challenges with energy, vitality and an open spirit.

Here are 5 ways to become more Response*able*

Start & End the Day Right - Watch a dog or cat wake up - They slowly rise, S-T-R-E-T-C-H their muscles; wander to the water dish; ask to go outside; beg for a cookie & then start their day. Bedtime is about the same. In contrast, how do you start & end the day? Do you jump when the alarm clock rings & run into the shower? Could the alarm be adjusted by 5 minutes to allow for a smoother start?

Eat Well - Science backs up what our mothers told us: "You are what you eat." Nutrition dramatically effects our stress & energy levels. Living on caffeine & processed foods, we feel tired & stressed out. Small changes in diet can lead to big results in energy & well-being.

Move - Basic physics shows us - move & it is easier to move. How much energy can you generate by getting off the couch (or away from the computer) & moving your body? No need to run a marathon, try taking the stairs or walking across the parking lot. Stand up while talking on the phone & pace around the office or kitchen. Just MOVE. Your muscles will thank you & your body will respond when you need it.

Manage Stress - Stress can't be avoided, but it can be managed. Too much stress saps energy, erodes self-esteem & makes us sick. Managing stress is a great way to slow down aging & increase the body's ability to respond to the world. Try a few relaxation techniques. Check out the post: 3 Quick Stress Busters in the article archives for a few ideas. If those don't work, try others. (Watch for future posts on stress management!)

Nurture Relationships - When was the last time you spent the day with a friend? O.k., how about a lunch date or maybe dinner? Too long? There's great evidence that people with strong social support lead healthier & longer lives. Don't worry if you're not a social butterfly, just a few solid relationships will do the trick.

Practicing these 5 habits is a good start to becoming more Response*Able* to yourself & the important people in your life.

1. Could you be more effective if you took some time for your needs?
   
2. What would it take for you to move forward to becoming more Respons*Able* today?

Have a wonderful & well week!

Kim Ellis

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