you’re on stage,” Worden says. “But
when you’re not performing, let the
body repair in a calm state.”
Without that rest, fatigue eventu-
ally comes.
“Ultimately, the body says, ‘I don’t
care if I have to survive, I just can’t do it
anymore,’” Worden says.
Learning how to manage stress is
essential for maintaining good overall
health and keeping those energy levels
where you need them to excel in your
job as a professional speaker.
Worden recommends researching
mindfulness techniques that help you
remember what it feels like for the body
to be in a restful state. Her personal
favorite is yoga, which she advocates as
exercise that’s good for the body and
the mind.
And while it’s wise to have a great
cardiovascular fitness program such as
running, she says, hitting the treadmill doesn’t bring the body back to a
restful place.
For non-yogis, activities like meditation and guided imagery can help
combat an overworked sympathetic
nervous system.
TUNE INTO YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH
A healthy mind should be complemented by a healthy body.
“If the physical body isn’t in good
shape, you’re going to have one more
thing working against you,” Worden says.
She encourages speakers to look
at their health closely. If you travel, as
many speakers do, you may have to be
extra-vigilant about making time for
healthy habits.
To help make sure you’re getting
the vitamins and minerals you need,
she recommends taking a good mul-
tivitamin—just like your primary care
physician has likely advised. She also
suggests finding a protein drink that
combines essential greens and proteins,
enzymes, omega- 3 fatty acids, miner-
als and even probiotics (cultures that are
healthy for the bell).
RE-POWER YOURSELF
For Worden, the keys to health and
energy are setting her intention,
taking care of her body and taking
the time to “re-power.”
Writer and editor Stephanie R. Conner is constantly being chased by a “bear,” in the form of deadlines. To deal with stress, Dr. Worden has inspired
her to stick with her yoga practice. Conner can
be reached at Stephanie@TheActiveVoice.com.
