Say the word “Congress” to any horse person, and a number of things come to mind. Amazing horses and fierce competition? Sure. Glitz and glitter and shopping? Of course. Long hours, physical labor, no sleep, every possible weather condition from snow to sun? Always. A steady diet of baked goodies and alcohol, maybe with a slice of pizza or a basket of chicken fingers thrown in? You betcha. Feeling relaxed, refreshed, energetic and healthy? Whoa, there, pal. Back up a minute.
The truth is, as much as we all love the Congress, it’s not exactly a trip to the spa. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. All the things that make the Congress so exciting and fun aren’t so good for our body and our overall health. No wonder one of the best-known parts of the Congress is the Congress Crud! We’ve all had it; we all know how miserable it is. As if the schedule wasn’t hard enough at the Congress, having to fight the Mother of All Colds while you’re working makes it even harder! Follow these simple tips to avoid the Crud and get through the busy fall horseshow schedule without a hitch.
- Exercise!
Unfortunately, all the walking you do at the Ohio Expo Center doesn’t count as exercise. In fact, back and forth on the concrete all day long only runs you down and contributes to the exhaustion that makes you sick. Try to find easy ways to sneak in some cardio every day. Does your hotel have a fitness center? Even ten minutes of brisk walking on a treadmill can boost your heart rate, get your blood flowing, and release endorphins that regulate your immune system to stay healthy. Do a few sets of push-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks when you wake up in the morning. Pick up a yoga DVD and pop it in during some down time at the stalls. The stretching and breathing techniques that yoga teaches can help with circulation and relaxation, so your body has an opportunity to recover from the beating it’s taking. Or, if you have big chunks of free time, go explore Columbus and find a fitness class to attend. Try Diamond Dance and Fitness at www.diamonddancefitness.com for class times and locations.
- Sleep!
I know, I know, the schedule is crazy. Still, sleep really is a priority. Your body needs sleep to fight infection and stay healthy. Protein molecules created while you sleep help your immune system mend your body when you are stressed or have been exposed to compromising elements – and let’s face it, a horseshow is made up entirely of comprising elements! You should try for six hours a night, but if that is simply impossible, then try to sneak in naps where you can get them. I have a firm policy: never underestimate the value of a power nap – even if it’s while you are sitting in a hard plastic chair in Celeste Center! Power naps improve your mental clarity, lower your blood pressure, and improve your body’s ability to fight infection.
- Eat (Properly)!
Baked and fried, sugar and salt, fatty and processed. A trip down the midway at the Congress makes me cringe. That food is ok now and then, but not as the staple of your diet for weeks at a time. To prevent the Crud from setting in, you have to give your body the nourishment it needs. Everyone keeps a refrigerator at the stalls. Instead of stocking it with Mt. Dew, cookies and chips, try bottled water, fresh fruit and cut veggies. There are plenty of hearty, filling meals that can be made in a crock pot that will keep you off the midway. Think of making turkey chili with beans, or minestrone soup that is full of veggies. How about homemade salsa or hummus with whole grain pita bread or blue corn tortilla chips? The more vegetables you can add to your diet, the better. Check out Columbus’s North Market (www.northmarket.com) to pick up the freshest produce available. Looking to get off the grounds for a meal? Try some of my favorite places that are close to the Expo Center and specialize in healthy, nutritious meals.
-North Star Café, with multiple locations in Columbus, www.thenorthstarcafe.com
-Betty’s Fine Food and Spirits, 680 North High Street, www.bettyscolumbus.com
-FirstWatch, breakfast and lunch only, with multiple locations in Columbus www.firstwatch.com
-Lemongrass Asian Fusion, 641 North High Street, www.lemongrassfusion.com
- Supplement!
The fact is, most people just are not going to get enough exercise or sleep, or eat what they know is good for them. In that case, supplements are a tool you can use as damage control. I haven’t experienced the Crud for the past four years, because I double up on high quality immunity supplements during the Congress – and I don’t mean hand sanitizer and cough drops. Anti-oxidants and probiotics are extremely good for your immune system, as well as a multi-vitamin that provides the essential nutrients your body doesn’t get from your diet. Check out www.yorhealth.com for the best products on the market.
Think of it this way: we give our horses the best feed and supplements available, but what do we give to ourselves? A lot of times I hear people say that living a healthy lifestyle is “too hard”, but being sick is much, much harder. Consider how much harder it is to do your job when you are run-down and exhausted. How much time do you lose? How much money do you lose? Take the time to take care of your health, and I promise it will pay you back ten times over.
CHARLOTTE DOWNES grew up as a horse trainer’s kid, and is now a Certified Health Counselor. Before the age of 30 she lost her dad to heart disease and her mom to cancer, which inspired her to go into the health and wellness field and educate others. She works at Diamond Dance and Fitness in Columbus, where she counsels individual clients who want to improve their overall wellness without medication. During the Congress, you will find her helping out at the Kirkbride Photography backdrop every afternoon. She can be reached at [email protected] or on her cell at 440-213-3225.
