Do it like Deborah

I recently saw on social media that Deborah Meaden (of Dragons' Den fame) said in an interview with Living Magazine:

“When people take time out of what they consider as their working hours, they often feel guilty.  I don’t feel an ounce of guilt, because I know it is going to make me much more efficient, a much better decision maker and a much nicer person to be around.  I can be much more helpful when I’ve got my balance right. So I work on keeping my balance right.”

It sounded right up my street, although, let's face it, we live in a culture that glorifies pushing through.

Pausing can feel indulgent and taking some me-time can feel undeserved, or even worse, could make one feel 'guilty'.

But we probably all know that when our balance is right, everything works better.

Same applies to your computer or any technical appliance that doesn't behave properly:

Switching it off and restarting it often does the trick.

I noticed this very clearly last summer when I was looking after my mum.

And I did what I always encourage others to do.

I made sure that I'm in a good, well-regulated state in order to be able to give.

“The heaviness in my back just lifted. I honestly didn’t know I could feel this relaxed.”

Carl

And the same applies to my working life.

Right next to my desk is my Yoga mat. Always there, always rolled out and ready to be used.

When things begin to feel just a little bit too much, often it's just too many things to juggle … I take a few minutes for a wee TRE practice.

And it really is only a few minutes. Not more.

And afterwards?

I feel much more relaxed, energised and ready to face the world again.

I often compare this innate practice with a dog who has had a good shake after a stressful incident.

They do it so quickly (I'd love to capture more dogs on video), and after their shake, life is good again.

“Wow.

That’s the word. I walked into the session full of tension

and walked out lighter and much calmer.”

Kirsty

What TRE does

TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) activates a natural reflex in the body, also called a neurogenic tremor, that helps release muscular tension and calms the nervous system.

Exactly as the dog does it.

Yes, I know you are not a dog, but we are mammals.

And this shaking response is what's innate to all mammals.

It isn’t something we learn, but something we’re born with.

Animals and children (up to their teenage years) do it instinctively after hugely stressful or scary situations.

But when teenagers become more self-conscious they stop and as adults, we learn how to override this urge to tremor.

But when we allow the body to complete this process, something shifts and the nervous system can move out of survival mode and into regulation.

The body feels less tense and the mind becomes clearer.

• It’s not about catharsis.

• It’s not about retelling or reliving the past.

• It’s about letting the body finish what it couldn’t finish at the time – and yes, we can do that retrospectively.

And that changes how we show up.

“I didn’t want to talk anymore,

I just wanted to feel better. TRE helped me do that. Sylvia’s calm guidance made it safe to let go.” Megs

As Deborah Meaden so succinctly put it, we become better decision makers, more efficient, nicer to be around and more balanced.

And if you'd like to discuss anything, please let me know how I can help.

And in case you've heard that all before and are postponing taking action - may I ask you a wee question?

If you are up for giving me an honest answer, you'll find more here.