The M.E.A.T of the Matter

What truly matters? The past two years of uncertainty has allowed us to shift our focus on wellbeing and what’s truly important – the M.E.A.T. of the Matter. What are they for you? For me, it comes down to these four…

Move Move Move

“Sitting is the new smoking” is now a popular phrase because of the many health risks of our sedentary lifestyle. The World Health Organization recommends that adults participate in at least 150 minutes of at least moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week to reduce the risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and certain cancers.

“We are continuing to demonstrate time and time again in different populations that there is something real to the association between sitting time and reduced longevity,” Dr. Patel, who has published studies on the health risks associated with too much sitting, told WebMD. She suggests people should sit for five fewer minutes each hour.

“Small changes can have a big impact,” she said.

Dr. Alpa V. Patel, Epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, CBS News

These past years had me sitting for almost the entire day. So much for wellbeing, huh. But, no more. I started incorporating movement back to my day, a regular part of it, just like eating and bathing are. Thanks to my daughter who always asks to walk, run and play and to my husband who bought for me a desk bike chair – work and workout at the same time, why not?

Eat Right

My knees and ankle started hurting about three years ago, on and off, and I just thought it was because of aging. I thought that at some point, our bodies fail. I should have known better given that I have a 97-year-old grandma. The pain disappears whenever I eat healthy – fruits, veggies, not too much meat. But for the past two weeks, I made do without meat altogether. Ironic title to this article. No pork, chicken, beef nor lamb meat. And all the pain, the hurting ankle and knees, disappeared. And it has only been two weeks.

This sort of lifestyle have always been in my head. From Carpart.com’s COO and CFO David Meniane to my daughter exclaiming, “Yuck, it’s a baby pig!” and actually did not eat the Cochinillo, to participating in EY GDS’ Zero Carbon Mission, to my husband’s lifestyle change and my husband’s and my father’s recommendation for me to watch The Game Changers on Netflix. It was something I always wanted to do but never got the determination to. Until the realizations the past months made it clear it was an inevitable part of holistic wellbeing.

We knew this since grade school, right? The go, grow and glow food types. Yet, here we are on a very unhealthy diet – junk food, processed food and fast food. But, it’s never too late. When will you start to eat the right food?

Act with Kindness and Gratitude

People remember how you make them feel. Not what you say or who you are to them. How we treat others is very important for our wellbeing and other’s, too. Kindness also goes a long way with its ripple effect. Kindness and gratitude.

It appears that emotionally charged situations can lead us to create longer lasting memories of the event. When we are led to experience feelings of delight, anger or other states of mind, vivid recollections are often more possible than during everyday situations in which we feel little or no emotional attachment to an event.

http://www.psychologistworld.com

In one of my business trips in Europe, I was “assaulted” by women selling stuff right outside the church, with some of them reaching into my bag and taking money. There were 6-7 of them, bigger and much stronger than me. It was broad daylight and there were several people around. No one seems to “see” though. Until someone screamed, “Hey, get away from her!” She was a tall American woman. I say God sent her, a guardian angel in the flesh. It was an act of kindness which has stayed with me from when it happened. In my own right and capabilities, I also try and help others, too. It felt great to be kept safe, the thought that we all have each other’s back in comforting and gives hope, and it feels even better to help others out.

What’s your latest kindness story?

Time Dedicated for family, loved ones and self

The reason we work is to earn a living for our family. Let’s not forget that and make the mistake of doing it the other way around. Which, by the way, most of us are guilty of several days a week. Are you?

But recent news about friends, their family and TV and social media personalities have then again reminded us to spend time with our dear ones. And, not to forget ourselves, as in planes, in the event of a turbulence, you secure yourself first so you are in proper state to help others. Same goes at work or in any other endeavor.

When was the last time you took time for yourself and your own wellbeing? When was the last time you connected with your family and loved ones? It’s time to pick up that phone.