I continually impress upon my clients at Renov8 Fitness that it’s important to de-stress and unwind. Not only for your sanity, but also for your health. When you’re always on-the-go and running on high, eventually things start to fail. Just like a car engine, one part relies on another and if parts start to fail, the whole engine goes. Yes, your body can last quite a bit of time in it’s high zone, but eventually it gives in to survive.
I just returned home a few nights ago from being away for 5 days as Team Renov8 participated in the Ragnar Trail Relay in Lake Tahoe. It was a dusty, hot, dirty, and fun-filled trip of making new friends, running amongst beautiful scenery, inhaling smoke due to the Yosemite fire (unfortunately), acquiring a minimal amount of sleep, relaxing by the river, and sitting in front of a campfire zoning out on the flames. The first couple days were nonstop as our team of 8 runners took turns running the trails in Soda Springs, and then we packed-up our campsite and moved to another one for relaxation the last couple days. It wasn’t until I was standing in the river stream with my husband and a couple teammates that I realized that I really needed this time away.
At home I am always “work, work, work”…mostly because I own my own company (Renov8 Fitness) and am OCD just like my mother (everything has to be perfect), but also because I’m not always the best at forcing myself to slow down, stop and relax. I am guilty, just as any, of not doing what I tell my clients to do…DE-STRESS!
It’s pretty amazing actually that I can keep myself going for so long. I rarely take naps. I’m always working inside and outside of the gym. I workout and train as a competitive athlete (this is fairly new). And then I eat, sleep and socialize with family and friends. But I know in the long run, if I don’t de-stress more often, I’m going to break down just like that car engine.
One of my new goals, from this realization over the weekend, is to officially add de-stressing to my calendar just like any of my other appointments, meetings, coaching sessions, etc. As the old saying goes…you can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first.
So please, take it from me – a workaholic – and make every effort you can to de-stress everyday. You will love yourself for it!
Heather Binns
Founder, Renov8 Fitness, LLC
