ENDURE: June 20, 2014

If You Can Dodge a Wrench, You Can Master Transition....

Spoiler Summary: It's that time of year again, a wrench in the works and a big challenge on the body.  Even if you're just an average-Joe (or Jane) if you know where you're at and you pay attention to the cues, you can dodge any trouble.

I was talking to someone earlier in the week who, while telling a story that included driving, referenced the "clutch".  It's been a while since I drove a car with a clutch.  I can remember getting my first car and how my Dad was pretty keen on me getting one with a manual transmission so I could learn to drive one.  I can remember getting the feel for it, sometimes chugging when I let it out a little fast and other times revving the engine as I gave it too much gas before it engaged.  It was a proud moment when I got confident enough to smoothly take off from a hilly perch without rolling backward into whatever dared sit behind me....and then of course there was the occasional grinding-gears sound that made anyone who had ever driven "stick" groan in pain.

The more I thought about it, the less I could decide which metaphor was more appropriate for this, the early part of the summer.  The dodge-ball movie reference in the title and spoiler summary are very close to what we're going through physiologically this time of year.....and since there can never be enough references to stupid movies it was a natural fit.  On the other hand, the clutch analogy (or the body's lack of a clutch while changing gears) works well too....so to really keep you on your toes, I went with both.

During the early summer the environment is throwing wrenches.  One day it's 85 or 90 degrees and the next it's rainy and 70.  From a physiological standpoint this is a real challenge for the body.....as we transition from our internal "spring setting" to our "summer setting".  The problem is, we can just press the clutch and switch gears....it's just not how we're built.  We need 10-14 days to slowly and steadily ramp up to the demands of the heat; even the more health conscious folks who have put a better than average defense in place by  their cardiovascular system tuned up.  

As hot and humid days become the norm, our circulatory system gets a little more efficient to handle the new demand. We get better at getting blood to the surface to let heat off, our thirst drives us to increase hydration levels some to account for more rapid fluid loss and the plasma levels in our blood increase.  By the 8th day our sweat rate has increased some and we start to perspire earlier which drives down our central temperature some.

This "transition" is a very important time to take precautions and listen to what the body is telling us because it taxes our resources temporarily. Feeling a little run-down or irritable or extra fatigued is a common sign that the body is using extra energy and hasn't yet achieved the improved efficiency.  Of course this isn't meant as an excuse to be a grump for the next 2 weeks, but should you find yourself unexpectedly in that state, it might be your body telling you something.

The good news is, like most things, if you give the body what it needs, it will respond with a favorable result.  So what does it need during transition?  Usually (in no particular order) - a little more water, a little more rest, fresh-wholesome meals and not only knowing your limits, but the will to pull back before you cross them.  Do that, and you'll be ready to take the infamous "100 days of summer" in stride.

Even without a clutch, there's no need to grind your gears this time of year.....with some knowledge and effort you can be aware of flying wrenches and successfully dodge.

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.