A Simple Path from Alcohol Misery to Alcohol Mastery PDF EBook Seb Grant Quit Alcohol Formula | Page 10

The four strands of the rope Build up your strength
Māori talk of the four strands that make up
the rope of life: wairua, hinengaro, tinana
and whānau. Like the four walls of a house
(Te Whare Tapa Wha), a healthy life requires
these four strands: healthy spirit, healthy
mind, healthy body and healthy family. It is
important in recovery that you pay equal
attention to each of these. If you have been drinking heavily, chances
are you have been neglecting your body in
other ways too. You may be going without
breakfast if your stomach is unsettled
after drinking the night before. You may be
missing out on other meals owing to lack
of time, money or appetite. Your body is
being deprived of the protein, vitamins and
minerals needed to keep healthy. A poor diet
is one cause of the severe memory problems
that heavy drinkers sometimes develop.
Unless they stop drinking and start eating
a sensible diet, this damage to the brain
can become permanent. Even if your
problems don’t yet seem as bad as this,
eat healthy food.
To take a broad interpretation, the spirit is
about your values: what is important to you
and what kind of person you want to be,
restoring a positive sense of who you are.
The healthy mind means that you recognise
depression or anxiety or phobias that you
may have, and you get them treated or get
help to learn how to manage them. You need
to look after your body and eat healthily
and exercise it and treat it respectfully. You
need to repair relationships where you can
with family and friends, for these will be
your future strengths. Whānau also covers
rebuilding your life in the community and the
wider family. Much of your hope in recovery
will be built on knowing that someone
believes in you and your building your own
personal goals.
Exercise plays an important part in your
drive back to health. If you are very unfit, you
should build up slowly by exercising regularly
for short periods. Walking is a way to start.
Over time, increase the distance you cover
and also your speed. Graduate from walking
in a local park to exploring the regional parks.
Swimming, biking and jogging are other
forms of exercise. The rules are the same –
start slowly and build up your stamina gently.
If you’re not sure, ask your doctor.