Every cost we face is affected - directly or indirectly - by the rapidly rising cost of fuel. Nobody wants to give up any of the luxuries of life that the use of fuel provides. But some of the decisions people are making on where to cut costs are pretty amazing
The first place we all look is what is often called discretionary expenditure - costs on which our basic survival doesn't depend. Money left over after all the bills have been paid.
Would you believe that many people see the maintenance of good personal health- physical and emotional as a discretionary cost. In fact they see it as one of the first costs to be cut. Amazing but true.
I am speaking of the most natural personal health resource you have. One that replenishes your burnt energy, reduces your stress levels, boosts your self esteem, self-confidence and sense of self worth, stimulates your capacity to be positive, expands your creativity and refreshes your enthusiasm for living.
Pretty important stuff, wouldn't you say?
You'll find it in any interest you pursue simply for enjoyment. Traditionally they're called leisure or recreational interests. Economists call them discretionary interests. In fact, they aren't discretionary. They're up there with every other component essential for staying healthy.
The stresses of normal daily living are insidiously eating into your physical, emotional and even spiritual health. If left unattended, the cracks of life begin to appear. Little things like lack of sound sleep, or getting angry too often. Resting isn't enough. You need at least one interest that transports your mind to a world of sheer enjoyment, any interest that expresses your authentic self, triggering what's called a ‘state of flow'. Singing in a choir does it for me. When you lose yourself in an interest you love, you find yourself.
In matters of economics, good health is a cost you cannot afford to cut.
About the Author:
Peter Nicholls offers refreshingly different lifestyle management services. If you want to know more about the links between enjoyment and health, visit
www.workleisure.com . Peter can be contacted at
peter@workleisure.com
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398
Date Published :
Jul 19 2008