KAMMS World Wide Blog

Before a plane takes off, the flight attendant tells the passengers: “In case of emergency put the oxygen mask on you before others.” This is good advice for women business owners with regards to our daily lives. We often forget that we can’t possibly take care of everything and everyone, if we neglect ourselves. Moreover, it’s important to nurture all aspects of our well being: mind, body and spirit. Neglecting any one of these areas will result in the others being affected. Ultimately, we won’t live our lives to our full potential.

Most of us know that we should be taking better care of ourselves, but many of us don’t do it for one reason or the other. I hear the excuses all the time: “I work too much. I don’t have the time. I have too many obligations.” The problem with these arguments is that if you don’t practice “preventative medicine” you’ll be spending more time sick in bed, too tired to finish your work or too stressed to deal with common issues that occur. YOU should be the priority! Then everything else in your life will run more smoothly. Essentially you’ll have even more time and energy to accomplish more of what you need or want to do.

The Mind

The human mind thrives on information. The more we learn, the more we want to learn. It’s common knowledge that we need to exercise our minds in order to improve mental functioning and prevent brain aging. Brain games like Sudoku and many hand held games have become very popular. We all want to be quick witted, intelligent and creative thinkers.

As a business owner, it’s absolutely essential to know what’s going on in your industry and to constantly improve your skills. It’s important to read, attend seminars, take classes and learn from others each and every day. Keeping the mind healthy and active will allow you to be successful in your business and stay ahead of your competition.

Body             

We always hear it, but how many of us do it: “Eat right and Exercise”. We have only one body in this lifetime. This is it; no second chances. Scientists have proven that many of our ailments, pains and diseases can be avoided by simply following a healthy lifestyle. Too many times people wait until some kind of illness befalls them to pay attention to their body.

Besides the obvious health benefits of taking care of your body, a fit and strong body is a big confidence booster. Every woman knows that feeling when we try on our “skinny jeans” and they fit perfectly. Or, when we walk into a party, networking event or business meeting and know that our clothes look and feel great on us. We feel instantly energized and confident.

Spirit

Ben Cohen, former CEO of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream said: “At Ben and Jerry’s, we learned that there’s a spiritual life to businesses as there is in the lives of individuals. As you give, you receive. As you help others, you are helped in return. For people, for businesses, for nations — it’s all the same.”

The meaning of spirituality is very subjective and personal. It is basically the development of a person’s inner life through mediation, prayer, yoga, journaling, contemplation or any other method a person chooses to better understand their selves, other human beings, the supernatural, the afterlife, God or the divine. There is no set definition of spirituality. It is what you believe it is for you.

Take time to learn how you can explore your spirituality and make it a part of your everyday life. People report being calmer, more “centered”, less stressed, healthier and simply have more joy in their lives. Does that sound worth a commitment of just few minutes a day?

The Mind, Body and Spirit Connection

These aspects of us are not independent of each other. They are all interrelated. If we neglect or nourish any one of them, they will affect the other. For example: Studies show that exercising our body reduces the loss of brain tissue common in aging. A healthy diet can improve memory. Lack of sleep impairs concentration. Mental stress causes numerous illnesses of the body. The list goes on and on.

In order to be happy, healthy and wise, remember to care for yourself in every aspect: mind, body and spirit. In this way, you will more effectively handle your family obligations, employee and client concerns and business operations. You will live your life to its full potential!

I wish you great success!

Stacey Kammerman