2 practices for increasing your focus and building presence, №1 may surprise you
1. The Scottish shower
Want to have focus, energy and fend off colds and illness? Consider welcoming the Scottish shower into your life. Ian Fleming’s Bond ended hot baths or showers with an icy rinse, and many Silicon Valley execs have been doing it for years, so what are the benefits and should you do it too?
“If you tiptoe into cold water, you’re missing out on the rush of plunging in headfirst” — Simone Elkeles
I’m constantly exploring different ways of being more alert throughout the day, as well as keeping illness at an arms length. Cold showers has proven to be an effective way to achieve both, and it turns out there are many other benefits too.
So what are the benefits of cold showers? Numerous studies have been published on the benefits of cold water cleansing. Medical Daily lists the most common and proven ones:
- Increased alertness
- Refines hair and skin
- Improves immunity and circulation
- Stimulates weight loss
- Speeds up muscle soreness and recovery
- Eases stress
- Relieves depression
I started gradually (ending my hot shower with 30 seconds of cold), after a month I was full blown cold for an entire shower, I’m still doing it every day, two years later.
Take the plunge and give up hot water, not only are there benefits for you, you’ll be using less energy and helping our environment too.
A good introduction and method for introducing cold water cleansing can be found here.
2. Well, look at you Alexander!
Want to be more present? Be calmer, feel youthful? Then say hello to the Alexander Technique.
This technique is used by millions of people to re-educate the mind and body on the relationship between the head and the spine. It’s primarily used for unlearning poor posture and the habits that create it.
Aside from the key benefits (solving back, neck, shoulder problems, high blood pressure and stress), Alexander technique has also been found to improve:
- Focus and attention
- Confidence and self esteem
- Agility and stamina
- Stature and posture
It’s used by professional musicians, singers, sports people, actors and even those calling themselves pickup artists (as described in Neil Strauss’ best selling book ‘The Game’). It turns out one of the by products of Alexander Technique, is you become more attractive.
After suffering a serious mountain bike injury, I learned that back and neck pain can be managed, or even prevented by retraining habitual patterns of movement and posture. Alexander Technique was key to this.
10 years ago, I was working in Guildford, a historical British town on the outskirts of London. For a little over a year, I attended one on one Alexander Technique lessons, just a few minutes from the office. The idea was to take away my neck and arm pain. Pain that had come as a result of my mountain bike accident. What happened was that and more.
“You translate everything, whether physical, mental or spiritual, into muscular tension.” — F.M. Alexander
The Alexander Technique can be different for everyone. For me, it introduced me to the importance of mindfulness and posture. These two things, once mastered, became significant factors in my ability to be calm, stress free and control my breathing and muscle tension.
You can teach yourself the technique over time, though as with anything, if you want to become a master, then finding an instructor to start you off is the best route.
Past and present celebrities such as Hugh Jackman, Marilyn Monroe, Sir Paul McCartney and Hilary Swank have all used the Alexander Technique to optimise their health and wellbeing, why not add it to your life too?
First published as part of ‘A Little Guide to a Big Life’ a LinkedIn mini series.
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