Do you really know where your baseline (or ceiling) for optimal health is?

Can we really know, completely subjectively, where our ideal baseline level for ALL the various markers for our personal health lie?

Ever been told by someone that they can function optimally on 6 hrs of sleep a night?

This is a good example is how the human brain is completely incapable of measuring what is ‘optimal’ and being aware of when we are sleep deprived or not.

Many neuroscientists that specialised in sleep have challenged these claims from individuals and, without fail, proven that they are operating FAR from optimally with a barrage of tests, brain scans and suchlike. In fact they are increasing their chances of suffering from MANY mental and physical this lack of sleep into later life.

They don’t know their baseline level of sleep

(In case you are wondering we must get a, non-negotiable, 8 hours of sleep opportunity EVERY night..in short, YES!)

Approaching your health and longevity as a myriad of baselines, balances and levels that you experiment with, and research, is the essence of a positive health journey.

I know that I have a pretty good baseline with sugary foods. As I don’t have them often, I really notice the effect when I do so. I used to have a really sweet tooth and ate so much that I didn’t feel her effect of that odd cookie or suchlike as my baseline was not something I couldn’t feel or recognise.

I was in a fog and couldn’t see or feel my baseline.

In our work with clients we nudge, cajole, tweak and course correct on a daily basis the large amounts of baselines that they have running at once.

That’s all part of the many things we have going on at once in our lives.

Of course we can’t change everything at once. If we could we would all be a picture of Health, BUT, you can make two or three changes a day or week (or even a month)across a couple of ‘baselines’.

For example, could you look to get to bed 15 min earlier in April, add an extra glass of water a day in May and walk the dog an extra 10 minutes each evening throughout.

Not much investment, however for a HUGE return..

You will ‘feel’ better and have more energy for sure, but don’t fall into the trap of trying to work out from which intervention this came from. The answer is that it is cumulative to all.

Then, with time, these habit changes become the norm and if deviation occurs on one aspect, being astute and noticing that backwards shift is the driving force on extra effort ongoing.

Just as you wouldn’t let the car run out of oil, water or fuel, you keep these three little habits ticking over and topped up by mental ‘gauges’ that clearly mark your baselines.

The good news is you can just start with one baseline and work on that.

Every step forward is a positive change

Remember always that we are REALLY bad a 1) noticing or feeling, and 2) giving ourselves credit for positive changes.

Add to that the fact that, within our bodies and minds, there is millions of adaptations happening with every tiny step forward we take in our Health that we will NEVER notice.

So, maybe we really need to shift that focus to honouring those baselines that keep us thriving by paying attention?

YOUR body is a miracle, trust in it...

J