Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Wednesday, so this post is on Outstanding Performance.

Star performers are healthy.  They do things to manage their health.  Occasionally, I will post health related thoughts on Wednesdays.

Today’s post is on a common performance detractor – headaches…

The October edition of TopHealth (Oakstone Publishing, Birmingham, AL USA), contains an interesting article:

5 Common Headache Triggers  -- And What To Do About Them

US Consumers spend more than $4 billion a year on over the counter pain relievers -- mostly to counteract headaches.   But prevenitng headaches costs you nothing.  Here are five leading headache triggers and advice on what to do about them.

1. Stress: Frayed nerves are a frequent cause of tension headaches.  Stress may also trigger migraines.  What to do: Take 30 minutes a day to relax, daydream or meditate.  Daily exercise also helps ease stress and tension.
2. Eyestrain: Spending too much time looking at your computer screen can cause a headache.  What to do: Take occasional “eye breaks” – for example, look out a window.  Get an eye exam to make sure that your vision is in good shape.  Poor vision can cause headaches.
3. Diet: Certain foods and beverages contain substances that can trigger headaches.  Caffeine, red wine, processed meats, chocolate, cheese citrus fruits, MSG can all cause headaches.  What to do: Identify which food and drink cause you headaches, and limit their intake.  MSG is a big culprit for me – I always say “no MSG” when I’m at a Chinese restaurant.
4. Sitting too long:  Staying seated for long periods, especially if you’re on the phone or hunched over a computer tightens muscles and leads to headaches.  What to do: Shift positions; stretch once and hour; stand during phone conversations, take a lunch time walk.
5. Sleep: Too little or too much sleep can bring on headaches.  What to do: Regulate your body’s clock by going to bed and rising at the same time every day – even on weekend.

Headaches can lower your productivity and performance.  These are common sense ideas for avoiding headaches.  If you follow this common sense advice, you’ll find that you’ll have fewer headaches, be more productive and perform at a higher level.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my other blogs: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and www.CommonSenseDay.com to learn more about Use Your Common Sense Day -- November 4, and to read stories of common sense in action; and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.