I’ve just returned from a 7 day cruise on the Eastern Caribbean with my family, parents, siblings and their children — 15 of us in all. We were celebrating my parent’s 50th anniversary and a much needed break from work. We had our ups and downs, but generally a very nice time together.
All during the cruise I was hardly my normal self, in fact it really knocked me out of my center. My weight is up, I’m feeling aches and pains and generally don’t feel like my normal self even now that I’m back at home. I realize that a week of eating and drinking everything in sight while skimping on sleep was probably not a good idea. Yet why did I do it anyway?
If you have been on a cruise before you know that the environment creates temptation in all directions – food displays, drinks brought to you poolside, music, lights, gambling, shows, lounging and more food. Without a daily routine or sense of normal, it’s easy to fall into an unhealthy pattern.
Cruise ships are also full of electromagnetic energy – TVs, videos, lights, engines, loudspeakers, fans and tons of people. Our ship had over 4000 passengers and another 1200 crew members. There is a feeling of being scrambled just from that. I found it hard to do my yoga in the tiny stateroom and my journalling stopped completely in spite of my best intentions. On the plus side, being on the water had a healing effect that brought me some calm. Thank goodness for that.
This new week is dedicated to undoing the damage with a fresh start and attention to sleep, activity, healthy food, lots of water, journalling and my daily spiritual practice. It’s my favorite time of year as the summer solstice arrives and I am hopeful that one week of misbehavior can be un-done in about a week’s time. Wish me well!
