by Omar Fercha, MA, LAT, ATC

Looking for the ideal gift to give your co-worker, friend, children, or even your significant other? What if I told you this gift would help reduce your own stress, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and increase your connection with the person you bestow it on? Did I mention it’s also FREE? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? You’d think, but I certainly wouldn’t lie to you like that during the holidays. What is this present, you ask? The present is yourself.

…I Am The Gift

Giving the gift of your full attention to those you love and those around you is priceless. The holidays magnify the daunting amount of THINGS and STUFF that weigh on our minds. My kid needs that, My partner needs that. My boss said this. I need to exercise more, eat better, and find time to watch that new Star Wars TV series. It all can be very overwhelming and take us out of the present. Being mentally withdrawn from the present opens up the opportunity for disaster to strike. So what can we do on a daily basis to be more present to those around us?

Perform A Body Scan

Mentally scan your body from head to toe. Note every ache, pain, and sensation throughout your body. How does it change as you move positions? Is it a new ache or pain? By focusing on specific parts of your body and what is happening at that specific moment, you are learning to sit in the present.

Bonus Win: This also bodes well for preparation for work. The more areas you know feel tight the better your warm up can be!

Practice Mindful Eating

This might possibly be one of the most overlooked opportunities for being present. Everybody eats—daily! If we don’t, we will die. So when we are eating, take the time to engage all of your senses around that bite of food. The texture, the taste, really give yourself the opportunity to experience as much of that bite as you can. Just like the body scan, this practice allows you to sit in the present and focus on that one thing that is in your mouth.

Reduce Screen Time

FOMO. It’s a real thing and is exponentially worse in today’s world with instant access through our smartphones. The amount of notifications we receive on a daily basis can become overwhelming, making it hard to stay focused on the present moment. The first step here is to turn off certain notifications. The next would be to recognize that you have a choice in when you pull out your phone. Give your leash a longer extension so that you aren’t tied down by the constant barrage of external stimuli.

[R] Recognizing Your Hazards

Recognizing the hazards around us at work keeps us safe. Whether it’s a wet floor, flammable materials, or dangerous equipment, being aware of our surroundings prevents injuries to ourselves and others. Just the same, by staying in the present this holiday season, you are not only keeping yourself safe but giving others the best gift of all…You!

Omar Fercha, MA, LAT, ATC || Omar is a Certified Athletic Trainer with 14 years of experience. He currently serves as a Senior Account manager for Work Right, providing support and hospitality to clients in the Pacific Northwest. Omar is a product of Washington State University, and has spent his time exploring different settings in the athletic training field. In 2012, he went on to earn his master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University. When he is off the clock, you can find Omar on adventures with his wife Megan, his little girls Waverly and Wrenley, and 2 dogs, Dax & Khali.

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Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!