Take care of your hands
As I have long preached, moisturize, control calluses and keep the grip strong.
In the two photos above, the first shows the bar low in the palm and closest to the thumb. This places much more stress on the skin of the palm which has a greater chance enlarging the calluses and blistering. In the second photo, the bar is more at the base of the fingers. This creates more downward pressure on the calluses instead of the shearing force which means less chance of blistering. This illustration applies to both bars and pull up bars.
Calluses are good but not too much callus. If calluses do become out of control, it is best to trim them down with a callus trimmer.
When we think about the many times a day we use our hands, we may take them for granted. Where would we be without our hands or limited use of the hands? I am usually most reminded of this during the colder months when I experience cracking, dry skin at the tips of my fingers. This can become a painful reminder while reducing my ability to do simple tasks with my hands.
The care and feeding of the hands is especially important now that disinfecting the hands has become the de rigueur everywhere you go. Anti bacterial hand sanitizers are usually alcohol based and are extremely drying as they remove the natural oils of the skin and kill off healthy bacteria.
Take care of your gut
The Lining of the gut is but one cell thick. Processed and un-natural substances that are ingested can wreak havoc on this thin layer of protection. The immediate pleasures we get from poor food choices can have un-pleasurable effects long after the food high. Take hot-spicy food for example. After the hot sensation is gone from the mouth, the rest of the digestive system has to deal with the same heat. Think nourishing and agreeable foods while keeping a happy stomach and the rest of the gang downstream happy and healthy.
Take care of your lymphatic system
Good circulation is not just about the bloodstream. The lymphatic system is actually a subsystem of the circulatory system and is just as important and needs regular stimulation.
This system is a complex network of organs, tissues and vessels. Not only is it the drainage system of the body, it transports the self defense lymphocytes and helps to remove toxins from the bloodstream.
Regular exercise is the best way to maintain and keep it in good service. Just by simply moving in all three planes of human movement, sagittal, frontal and transverse, on a regular basis can keep this network healthy.
Take care of your posture
Check your walking. Are you favoring a side? Are you shuffling? Are you slouching? Are your shoulders back and open. Does your gait show confidence? Try to always be aware of your body position when sitting or standing. Be sure and practice your squat along with your posture daily.
The Crossover Symmetry activation protocol is great for opening up the shoulders and and thereby improving posture. This can be done daily or even multiple times throughout the day.
Crossover Symmetry happens to be running a big sale with 20% off. My affiliate link. Use the current discount code on the website.
Check out My blog post on shoulder health and working the glutes
Take care of your breathing
Check your breathing. Is it shallow and coming from the chest? Are you taking deep breaths through your nostrils and letting your stomach relax and push out? Did you know that the only time we breath properly is when we are asleep? It's true and we have to make a conscience effort to breath efficiently during waking hours.
Take some moments throughout the day to focus on breathing, which can actually be a form of meditation.
