When an ostrich is scared, the bird apparently buries its head in the sand to avoid danger with the logic, ‘if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist’. This is the Ostrich effect. Maybe it isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds because humans do it too as we often look away from our problems.We really need to pull our heads out of the sand, face our problems and take life head on to overcome life’s obstacles as we work towards happiness and living a better life.

When I read books to my daughter I notice that it is engrained into us as children that we are all going to live happily ever after. But are we?Did you know that in Australia, it is estimated that 45 per cent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime? (statistic from Beyond Blue. For more info go to http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts). And as reported in The Lancet, December 2014 , mental ill health is now, staggeringly, the most important health issue facing young people worldwide. It is the leading cause of disability in people aged 10–24 years. Wow.

There is only one children’s book I have come across so far that paints a fair and realistic picture of life, encouraging you as the reader to take responsibility and find your own opportunities. That is Dr Seuss’s children’s book ‘Oh, the places you’ll go’.  Don’t get me wrong, fairytales and fantasies certainly do have a role in children’s lives as they plant the seed for us all to dream.

However, it is paramount to be in the right frame of mind, to be truly healthy and happy. Mindfulness is probably a term you have heard thrown around in the media lately, and the talk about it has become as popular as the fashionable vegetable, kale. Mindfulness is the focus of one’s attention on emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment. It is used to treat a variety of mental and physical conditions including depression and anxiety.

Physiotonic started the year with the newsletter feature of New Year’s Resolutions. This month our focus is on reflection (by the way how are those NYR’s going?) and to remind you to give some attention to your emotions, thoughts and sensations.

So just how introspective are you? Some questions you could ask yourself are:

• how healthy are you right now? Where are your aches and pains and what are you doing about it?

• if you are in a relationship,  what are the relationships’ strengths and weaknesses and what can you do to improve it?

• how close are you to the rest of your family like your kids, your parents and your siblings? Can you be more active in your relationships with them to feel closer to them?

• what are your friendships like? Do you surround yourself with energetic, positive, motivated and like-minded people?

• how much satisfaction and enjoyment does your job bring? Lets face it, you are there probably 50 hours per week, so best to enjoy your time there.

• are you keeping your mind active by reading and learning about new things?

• where are your finances up to and what could you be doing better?

• how well do you sleep? This is an important point as good quality sleep is imperative for your well-being. If you aren’t sleeping well what needs to change? Perhaps you need to avoid screen time 1-2 hours before bed time to improve your sleep, or reduce the amount of caffeine you consume or do a good exercise session during the day to tire you out. We receive great feedback from Physiotonic participants who say they sleep really well after our classes, so perhaps you need to factor in more time to do Physiotonic classes.

Above all, simply ask yourself how am I? Where am I at and what do I need to change to make life happier. Physiotonic is there to help you focus on your:

• breathing to help you relax, reduce stress and improve your sleep quality

• strength, tone and flexibility to help you recover and/or manage injuries and reduce your pain (plus the toning exercises will help you look good!)

• posture to help you feel good and to hold yourself well and with confidence

• and to remind you about mindfulness… are you feeling introspective yet?!

Take the time to read some of the lines from Dr Seuss’s book ‘Oh the places you’ll go’ written below as we can all learn something from it. And remember… Don’t be an ostrich! “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go….You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed. You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes youwont. I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the lurch with an unpleasant bump, and the chances are, then, that you’ll be in a Slump. And when you’re in a slump, you’re not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done….

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race down long wiggled roads at break-necking pace and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space, headed, I fear, toward a most useless place… The Waiting Place…for people just waiting. Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a better break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or another chance. Everyone is just waiting.

NO! That’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where boom bands are playing.

You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right for with your left.

And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ cent guaranteed). KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!…

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So… get on your way!”