The vitality of rest

The vitality of rest

by | Mar 16, 2018 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Buderim, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Holidays, Nature, Nourishing, Rehabilitation, Rest, Sleep, Spiritual growth, Stress, Sunshine coast, Wellness

I wanted to do a post about the importance of rest as we have moved quickly into the next season. Hello windy Autumn weather! So not just the kind of rest your Sunday afternoon naps on the lounge with your pet gives you, but the kind of rest that is restorative for the long term quality of your life.

LET’S GET REAL !

Many people visit the clinic RUSHING, soldiering on and are burnt out physically and emotionally. Yes that’s totally okay because that’s why health professionals are here to help. But that calm, balanced feeling when you get off the treatment table creates space for you to look at things. If something isn’t working in your life, is making you sick or pissed off, whatever, it’s a kick up the bum to remind yourself to come to back to you and figure out where you want to be and what fills YOUR cup.

Yet we’re always planning ahead. But what about right now? To sit and feel the ocean breeze (without your phone or thinking about what errands need doing), have a nurturing bath or getting your hands creatively dirty…

The keeping up with this fast paced society that tells us we should always be doing something. “We should be busy, making more money, be attending every social event or be bettering everything comparatively”. GAHH! When was the last time you let yourself get caught in the rain? Instead of rushing to the car trying not to get wet. It’s just rain and it’s beautiful and you’re missing it because you need to be somewhere!

You are human, you’re allowed to take time out to sincerely rest your heart, mind and body. To just be. It may be a week, 2 months or even over 12 months. It doesn’t matter in the long scheme of your life how much rest you need but by golly it’s vital!

Going to a yoga class and falling asleep is probably what your body needs. Asking someone to help you out with the kids is what your sanity needs. Saying no to something that doesn’t align with your values is OK. Going for a healing health treatment isn’t self indulgent, it’s restorative.

Planning and being organised is definitely helpful in life, and there’s an element where we need to soldier on and get on with things, but oh my gosh cut yourself some slack sometimes. S L O W  D O W N. Enjoy the rain once in a while. If you need to rest, then please allow yourself to because your quality of life matters more than how society tells us how we should be.

Many blessings,
Take care of you,
See you in the clinic,

TK xx

 

Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
Why you need to travel !

Why you need to travel !

by | Sep 26, 2017 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Buderim, Chinese medicine, Client information, Emotions, Exercise, Holidays, Motivation, Nature, Rest, Spiritual growth, Sunshine coast, Travel, Wellness

I recently visited WA for a holiday. First of all, if you haven’t seen a Quokka, put it on your bucket list as they are the friendliest marsupials you will ever see !

Secondly, it is really important for your wellbeing to take time off and get out of your usual environment, even just for a couple of days. We can become stagnant, bored and frustrated very quickly! So trying different foods, swimming in different seas, reading books in different coffee shops, experiencing different climates, switching off from work etc – they all shake up the day-to-day norm.

Spring is about growth, change and new beginnings in Chinese medicine. Just look at how nature mimics this with bursting flowers, warmer temperatures and the need to do a big clean out at home and also get outdoors in the fresh air.

Instead of doing new year resolutions in January, come out of your introverted Winter cave and try doing them in Spring so you can set new goals and make positive changes to your life!

Take care of you, see you in the clinic,

TK xx

 

Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
Changing up your exercise routine

Changing up your exercise routine

by | Apr 19, 2017 | Acupuncture, Authentic self, Chinese medicine, Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Emotions, Exercise, Exercise routine, Fitness, Holidays, Joint pain, Mental health, Motivation, Muscle pain, Nambour, Nature, Nourishing, Rehabilitation, Stress, Sunshine coast, Travel, Wellness

How many types of exercises can you list? Tonnes right?

Walking, jogging, weight training, pilates, swimming, yoga, boxing, martial arts, trekking, tennis, snowboarding, gymnastics, basketball, crossfit.. the list goes on!

Who else gets bored at the gym? Have you ever wanted to try a new type of exercise or are you sick of the same environment where you have been exercising? it can lead to lack of motivation for sure!

My general fitness routine consists on swimming, running, yoga and a bit of resistance training. Yet with these 4 I was bored and felt unmotivated to get out there. So, I decided to change things up. I’ve been to the Himalayan Mountains and one trek was a 10km return at 2,828 meters, so looking more close to home I recently climbed a mountain in the Glasshouse Mountains that I hadn’t already climbed. The mighty Mount Beerwah at 556 meters (1,824 ft), the highest of the 10 volcanic plugs in the region, and more like 2 hours, not 10! It had recently re-opened in January 2017 after being closed and doesn’t cost anything – bonus!

 

The climb wasn’t about how many laps I could swim or what my pace was in running, it was about trying something new, getting outside in the sunshine and fresh air, but most importantly to challenge myself as it’s a steep climb. Oh and don’t let age define what you can and cannot do. I passed a 70 year old couple on the mountain, taking it slow but doing it! I must advise, if you are new to mountain climbing or bush walking then start with a smaller mountain like Ngun Ngun or Mount Coolum that are very popular to climb on the Sunshine Coast.

 

What did I get out of the climb? First of all, 2 hours of fresh Autumn crisp air, sunshine sunshine sunshine, elements of conquering fear when I thought I couldn’t climb any further as my legs were jelly and the top seemed so far away. I also had such a clear head space – I wasn’t thinking about last week or tomorrow, I was right there trying to find the next step to go higher while breathing heavily. Reaching the summit was tough but I did it and felt stoked with my achievement. Coming down was quicker and lots of sliding. Thank god I had good trekking shoes on to grip the rock face, and I was wearing gloves to protect my hands! At the bottom, I ended up with ripped pants and a few cuts but god did I feel on top of the world! I conquered the mother of mountains but also myself !

 

 

Soaking in an epsom salt bath that night as I knew I would be sore from using VERY different muscles that I had been using, all I could think of was what I could do next to add to my fitness regime and to challenge myself. What did I do? I looked for a bigger mountain – Mount Warning at 1,156 meters! Then I started planning my next break to go snowboarding. Why? Because I haven’t done it and life is about experiences!

So if you are feeling unmotivated with doing fitness and then feel guilty for not doing it, try something new, especially something outdoors. Mountain climbing, a game of tennis, join a team sport or a outdoor bootcamp. Just try it. Trust me, you will love it!

TK xx

 

Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.
 
Juggling work-life balance

Juggling work-life balance

by | Nov 10, 2015 | Client information, Daily Rituals, DIY Wellness Tips, Holidays, Nourishing, Sleep, Stress, Wellness

Full-time work is 38.5 hours a week for the average adult in Australia. Some, if not most, juggling more hours to make financial ends meet, FIFO, studying, being a parent, running a business etc. In my line of work/lifestyle of the health field, I personally NEED time to rejuvenate and replenish myself so I can be the practitioner I need to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But everyone needs rest and time to rejuvenate.

Maintaining work-life balance can be HARD but with careful planning it

CAN BE DONE! 

I recently went on a spontaneous trip with a friend up to the Northern Territory for an unplanned road trip. All we booked were our flights and one of those outrageous Wicked Campers you see with funny and inappropriate slogans painted across the vehicle. We packed the car with healthy food, electrolytes, bush walking shoes, sunscreen, litres of water and our swimming gear and set off south east down the Stuart Highway from Darwin. We had 4 full days to visit national parks, sleep under the stars, visit indigenous landmark paintings, meet the locals, climb mountains to hidden waterfalls and hear about the history of certain areas. But most importantly really see this A M A Z I N G country, turn our phones off and not check the time.

Tips to make weekends away possible

 

> Prioritise your tasks – write lists for what needs doing (use a daily diary),  plan the day and week ahead. Instead of getting overwhelmed, take a pause and ask yourself what is more important to you in the current situation. Make conscious decisions and feel happy about them.
> Delegate times and set boundaries of your day to certain areas – for example: 5-8pm is time spent with kids, run errands once/twice a week, exercise before work.
> Cut back on expenses (even short term) on things you don’t necessary need right now – put that money aside for emergencies or something fun!
> Trust and delegate work environments – prepare and be organised for other staff to run the show while you are away.
> Get 6-8hours of unbroken sleep a night – if our bodies are not resting well, our mind cannot function well.
> Set a goal – “At the end of this 3 month block I will go away for a long weekend”.
> Remove guilt – have realistic expectations of yourself. Pat yourself on the back when you know you’ve done your best and you are managing things nicely. No one is superman/woman so ask for help when you need it.
> Lastly, book the trip! – get the ball rolling so that other steps will flow and it will all come together. Having something to look forward to keeps you motivated and excited when the grind of the day-to-day gets a bit much.
Take care of you, see you in the clinic,
TK xx
Tanya Keam Wellness is an experienced health clinic on the Sunshine Coast. Helping you to feel better in all aspects of your health and wellbeing.