How To Look After Yourself Over a Lifetime

Small daily actions lead to a healthy lifestlye

I’m Nahid, “the nervous system whisperer” an Author and somatic movement educator. I’ve been teaching for twenty years and help clients move out of burnout, anxiety, stress and trauma-related issues with The Soothe Programme

Buy Soothe UK out now in paperback / Soothe US

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Hello, how are you doing this week? The drama of nature unfolded in my garden this week when I saw a hawk swoop down to retrieve a dropped baby bird before flying away. The hawk's majesty was striking, and while I felt for the stolen bird, I recognised this as nature's uncompromising cycle.

In our comfortable modern lives, we often struggle with life's harsher realities - death, illness, and uncertainty. Through my own experience, I've discovered that maintaining a lifelong love affair with movement has been my most reliable path through these challenges. This week marked 15 years of teaching a long-standing client called David, some of you know him from when you used to come to Good Vibes, the studios I started in central London many moons ago.

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David turns 80 later this year. Over this time, I've witnessed his transformation from being overweight and depressed to slim and feeling enthusiastic about movement.

Three years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, our work together keeps him mentally and physically agile.

Each year at his Parkinson's checkups, his doctor consistently advises: "Keep doing what you're doing." The results speak for themselves.

We often underestimate self-care until mobility or cognition begins to decline. When this happens, our self-image shifts, eroding confidence and courage. Our beliefs about our capabilities profoundly influence what we can accomplish.

This week, we marked 15 years of working together once three times a week, now twice weekly after shifting from in-studio to online sessions during COVID. His mobility, balance and strength are improved. His idea of himself and what he is capable of has expanded. We adjust as we go along. The trick is to keep adapting according to his energy levels.

Don’t underestimate the power of taking small daily actions. It doesn’t have to be big but do move for your emotional health, a walk in the park, a bike ride, mobility on a mat or a morning breathing practice. Over the years, it all adds up.

I have been moving regularly since I was young. I understood that I felt better after exercise. I’ve done everything from running long distances, kickboxing, boxing, Qi Gong, yoga and Pilates. Now I have a range of activities that I enjoy: reformers Pilates, somatic movement, mini-trampolining, restorative yoga, dumbells and kettlebells on my Power Plate machine.

I walk every day and choose one or two other activities a day. I spend 30 minutes on each activity. I get bored if it is longer but 2 x 30 minutes of strength, resistance or restorative training split throughout the day means I am fully engaged in what I’m doing for the duration.

I’ve also upped my protein intake. I feel less bloated and less tired. I wrote about training to suit our biology a few weeks ago, you can read it here.

I teach people in their 20s through to their 80s and based on my twenty years of teaching…my advice to you is please do move everyday, it will keep you vital throughout your life. David is walking proof of that.

A few places left on The next Soothe Day Retreat in London Saturday 17^th May - come and feel what ease feels like in your body. You’ll learn principles of soothing your system each time but also fresh perspectives for brain and body movement based on research, what clients are going through, and what is happening in the world. Book into the day retreats throughout the year to counter your busy life. Nab your spot here.

Rewire Your Brain & Brunch: Cultivate a Resilient Nervous System at The Elder Press Cafe by the river in Chiswick. it’s one of my favourite cafes. It’s on the 12th June at 10.30 am - 12 pm. A light brunch, a talk and discussion, practical strategies that you can implement right away, you’ll also receive a signed copy of my book, Soothe, the book your nervous system has been longing for. Tickets are £27 I’d love to see you there - click here to book.

The Soothe Weekend Retreat on 10th - 12th October at The Quaives, a lovely retreat space in Kent, 51 minutes from St Pancras. I’ve already sold the cottages and the rooms in the main house. Rooms still available:

• Dorm: 3 beds in the scandi-style dorm @ £650 pp

3 minutes drive up the road staying at The Tor Spa

• 3 x ensuite rooms 5 minutes car drive away @ £1150 pp

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I have uploaded a somatic lesson to help you with anxiety. Sign up as a paid subscriber to unlock the link below.

Have a lovely weekend.

Stay human,

Nahid x