Living healthily and using our talents however old we are

August 25th, 2008 by Zenon Kyle MSc MBACP Accred

Have a hug!
Ten minutes of hand-holding and a 20 second hug with a loved one are sufficient to boost resistance against the physical effects of stress. This was the conclusion of researchers at the University of North Carolina working with spouses or long-term partners. Those who had sat alone in the experiment experienced a rise in blood pressure and heart rate that was at least double that of the couples who had held hands and hugged. Psychologist Kathleen Light also said that touchiness between friends can also have a positive effect, but nowhere near the impact of a hug and a hand-hold with a loved one.

Look at yourself – and begin to live a fuller life!
Have you ever thought about how breathing in and breathing out is a reflection of the rhythm of life? In taking a breath we take air - something that’s life giving - in. When breathing out we are letting go - of the gases that are seeking an exit. In living we take in or receive, and let go.
It’s not an easy rhythm to adjust to when we go about our daily lives: many of us find it hard to receive and even harder to let go! And when it comes to times for a break, for a rest, for regenerating or recreating ourselves, it’s hard to receive and let go. What happens when all the jobs haven’t been done? When all the loose ends haven’t been tied up? Who or what inside us keeps us tied in and unable to let go? What part of us is working against us? For me it’s often the ‘Mr Perfect’ part, or my anxious ‘inner child’. Who or what is it in you? What could you do to let go and receive?

Wasted talent
Depression caused by ageism at work affects people as young as thirty-five. Older workers see themselves as targets for redundancy, anxiety and stress because they feel their skills are going to waste. Most victims of ageism say they have been scarred for life. Out of 150 people surveyed, 70% said it affected their mental well being and nearly a third believed it damaged their marriages. Toni Townsend who founded the company ‘Maturity Works’ which conducted the survey, said, “It seems extraordinary that a large pool of available talent is going to waste”. We appear to be under-utilising our resources. Have you got an experience of having more talents or potential than are acknowledged or used at work? What would you like to do about it?