Have you noticed that some people seem almost immune to stress, they just keep rolling along, get their work done and live their lives with a minimum of fuss? These are the no-drama and low-maintenance people in our lives. The steady, consistent, grounded people I like to call the ‘Corollas’ of the world.
The ‘Ferraris’ on the other hand are wired differently. Being tuned for high performance and engineered for responsiveness, they’re born to accelerate, brake and go around corners fast. Whilst life can be an exhilarating ride, slight misjudgments can end up in crashes and a long list of repairs.
Sadly, many ‘Ferraris’ I meet would rather be ‘Corollas’. They look at ‘Corollas’ and think their lives seem easier, they covet their fairly robust physical, mental and emotional health. Whilst the appeal is understandable, you can’t change your nature, but you can learn how to manage the vehicle you’ve been given. A well-tuned ‘Ferrari’ is a beautiful thing to drive, once you know how.
Getting the most out of your ‘Ferrari’ requires daily maintenance, otherwise this delightfully engineered piece of equipment is a burden rather than a blessing. Most ‘Ferrari’ types are stressed-out, exhausted, multitaskers who can’t switch off. They’re prone to anxiety, insomnia, (auto)immune concerns, depression and burn out.
The essential maintenance manual for a ‘Ferrari’ starts with understanding:
1. Your nervous system is wired for high performance. You can wind up fast and operate at a high level, but it comes with a downside if you don’t keep your ‘engine’ in tune.
2. It’s likely you’re not good at switching off and relaxing, leaving you vulnerable to stress, exhaustion, and burn out.
3. You notice everything going on around you which means your nervous system is working overtime to process all the things you sense, feel, see and think.
4. Whilst ‘Corolla’ types usually switch off easily, you will take a long time to wind down.
5. Consistent, quality relaxation is the key to your lasting wellbeing.
6. Sleep is the barometer of your nervous system’s health. If you’re sleeping well and waking up feeling refreshed, you’re likely to be in good health.
Once you learn how to maintain your Ferrari you wouldn’t dream of trading it in for a Corolla, not that one type is better than the other, they are both great in different ways. A balanced Ferrari type can live life to the full, really soaking up life’s experiences like a sponge. They have made time and space in their day for things that help them unwind, whether it be exercise, art, music, meditation or being in nature. At the end of the day, they can unwind easily and have deep restorative sleep which allows them to stay healthy and happy.
Editor’s note: This wellbeing column provides information that is general in nature. Please always refer to your preferred health professional for advice suited to your personal healthcare requirements.
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