WHEN THE PURSUIT OF HO HO HO TURNS TO HO HUM
The holidays are a celebration of the best things in life. Take the time to enjoy yourself and create memories that will last a lifetime. Now with that being said let’s take a look at one of the challenges that you face as an entrepreneur this time of the year. The reality is this; too many Chiropractic practices suffer economically during the holidays as result of a lack of focus and drive and this can carry over into the New Year. This ’behavioral tick’ has a physiological cause. While nature is saying ’slow down and hibernate’ your business is saying ’wake up and get moving we haven’t hit our year end goals yet!’
The end of the fiscal year happens at the most challenging part of nature’s cycle for those of us living in the northern hemisphere. This transition from fall to winter demands adaptation and ’well adjusted’ people adapt to the changes. But for many people SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a real threat to their joy and focus. Simply put your brain needs abundant light and sound, both of which are rationed in the winter. As an example, in the month of June we are fed 16 hours of sunlight a day and in December we get a paltry 8 hours worth.
Even leaders get the blues every now and then. There are signs and symptoms that accompany this physiological dis-ease, a.k.a. the “winter blues.” The most common symptoms are: a gloomy mood, diminished pleasure in life, difficulty concentrating, and hunger attacks that can only be satisfied by ’sweets.’ If the early signals are ignored it can lead to social withdrawal, lack of enthusiasm and a feeling of emptiness.
In November’s issue of “Scientific American Mind” an article on SAD described the process that makes our performance clock tick. “The passing of daylight hours is detected by the eye’s retina and transmitted to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). This bundle of neurons, about the size of a grain of rice lies in the hypothalamus, near the point where the optic nerves cross, and operates as our master clock. It controls daily body rhythms, such as the activity of organs and the sleep–wake cycle. During daytime the SCN fires powerfully and through–intermediate chemical steps–suppresses the secretion of melatonin, the ‘sleep hormone,’ by the pineal gland. At night the SCN firing drops and melatonin flows into the bloodstream, making us drowsy.”
So, less light can lead to an alteration in your brain chemistry and affect performance especially on the light deprived days. Adaptation is the key and this is where habits and nature collide. While we do live in an artificially lit environment, the light intensity of the average home is only 100-500 lux of light. In sharp contrast the average brightness of a summer day is 10,000 lux of light.
Most Chiropractic offices are only 500 lux and studies suggest we need at least 1,200 lux of light to adequately power our brain for peak performance. While you can’t control the season you can lessen its affect and build momentum instead of loosing it this year.
Listen, do you want to know a secret? Promise TO tell?
It is a performance secret not in the sense that it is hidden but rather that it must be explained. In our offices November, December and January were routinely peak production months. While others were struggling we were thriving. We had a system in place for the season and now that we have the Focus Trainer the system is turbo charged. Though the season is upon us there is still time to get moving for both December and January if you start right now.
Ready, set your “mental clock”, GO! You need at least 30–45 minutes of bright light nourishment each day and the more the better. Here are a few tips to keep you enlightened and energized.
- Get adjusted enough to adapt.
- Get outside and absorb as much of the natural light and sound as possible.
- Use your Focus Trainer twice a day. Studies show that morning sessions are the most effective. Use session #7 and if time permits use session #4 to bump up your ’Beta’ enthusiasm.
- In the office use full spectrum lighting and make sure that the C-Techs workspace is flooded in light.
- The adjusting suite must be bathed in light. Look for shadows and dark areas that can affect your performance. Remember, your peak afternoon clusters are arriving in the dark.
- Research one lighting solution from Deepcel which is a recessed fluorescent parabolic louver.
Many of your patients do not have a strategy for the season. Let them know that this is the time to increase their visits, not decrease. When they ask you your secrets tell them. Help your patients take charge of their lives and they will help you reach your goals.