Habits for Longevity in Arboriculture & Life

[nicoleb]

Hey Y'all... this is the start of a forum for a talk I'll be giving at TCI Expo.
I'm hoping we will be able to create some sub-forums off it, but the focus is on 4 fundamental habits that affect our quality of work, as well as life.
The 4 Foundations in this focus are:
1) Fuel (food/water)
2) Recharge (sleep)
3) Activity/Fitness
4) Environment (your tribe)

We can certainly add to the list... however, I started with these 4 because not only are they major impactors on our life, they are simpler ones to add or modify habits within.

My hope is that this forum can create a space that will give folk the ability to share information on foods / hydration methods that work great for them, or new habits around eating, they are trying to add certain foods into their lives. Sleep or rest habits that we all probably neglect and could work on. Fitness & activity habits that are enjoyed OUTSIDE of work - could be just walking the dog or it could be Filipino escrima...

And mostly I'm hoping we can link people that might not be in conducive environments that support habit change. Or they are just looking for accountabili-buddies as nerdy as that sounds.

Pretty sure I'll be able to upload some form of my presentation on here for more context, as well as methods for building new, modifying, or quitting habits.

Any thoughts or comments are super appreciated!

Cool picture of Aneesa Winn for tax.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

3: Use a saw, cut things smaller to save personal wear and tear

3: When working, keep your hands no higher than your eyebrows. THE worst ergonomic position if your goal is to retire with healthy shoulders

4:Spend time with your tree tribe but don't do it at the expense of your Family Tribe

 

[Matias]

There has been a running thread commented on recently on electrolytes

 

[Matias]

3: Use a saw, cut things smaller to save personal wear and tear

3: When working, keep your hands no higher than your eyebrows. THE worst ergonomic position if your goal is to retire with healthy shoulders

4:Spend time with your tree tribe but don't do it at the expense of your Family Tribe

I thought the keeping the saw below your eyebrows was a safety thing, but I had never considered that that was the thing that might be wrecking my shoulders.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

Don’t lift heavy stuff, get hydraulic help.

 

[nicoleb]

There has been a running thread commented on recently on electrolytes

I did see that, however it was in the category of Competitions... so I was trying to keep it separated as only a minute amount of tree industry folk compete in tree comps.

 

[Matias]

I did see that, however it was in the category of Competitions... so I was trying to keep it separated as only a minute amount of tree industry folk compete in tree comps.

This one?

Electrolyte supplements?

Anyone find a good electrolyte option that isn’t loaded with sugar or a gross sugar substitute? I don't understand why they have to put so much sugar in everything.

www.treebuzz.com

That one isn't specific to competition stuff, and even if it was, that I fo would be very adaptable to daily work

 

[Brando CalPankian]

Ergonomics when working. Don't sacrifice safety for speed. We all get in uncomfortable situations at times but get in the habit of setting yourself up for success in your climb and when ground pounding. I've rarely been hurt climbing (more than bumps and bruises), always when ground pounding. Ergonomics in climbing plays into your gear setup and the geometry of your anchor points.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

keeping the saw below your eyebrows

Not just the saws.

-pole tools
-long reaches for branches while climbing
-pulling ropes/throwlines down
-ascending ropes

 

[Serf Life]

Marry up and be a gentle-person arborist?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

2) Recharge (sleep)

While I was working I never had sleep issues. In retirement...sheesh...I can't remember a long night sleep. I've tried all the regimens too.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

1) Fuel (food/water)

Fresh veggies...few cooked, because I'ev NEVER liked many cook veggies. Salads

Aim for eating sensible. Few fried foods. Stay away from fats.

Salt...haven't bought salt of used it for cooking for 30+ years and my BP is still high. Plenty of salt in salse...a source of veggies for me LOL

Water, fresh juices and watch sugar in drinks.

Local, small brewery beer in moderation...or less.

 

[nicoleb]

So... when I say HABIT, this is what I mean... there are 4 stages:
1) Cue 2) Craving 3) Response & 4) Reward

So... yes, cutting within your power zone is totally a great practice to maintain your shoulders. AND a super great example!
...
But we'd break it down
1 Cue - the cut is above eye level
2 Craving - you want to cut it easily
3 Response - you climb higher or reposition yourself
4 Reward - you cut within your power zone (or below eye level) ...

another example could be smoking cigarettes
1 you feel stressed & lacking control
2 you crave a sense of control
3 you smoke a cigarette
4 your craving to have control (even if it is as simple as choosing to smoke a cigarette) is satiated (momentarily)

The image below is an example of what habit loops are... our brain creates a pathway to give us a quick solution. It might not always be the right solution, but it doesn't matter to the brain synapsis...

1

 

[Brando CalPankian]

So... when I say HABIT, this is what I mean... there are 4 stages:
1) Cue 2) Craving 3) Response & 4) Reward

So... yes, cutting within your power zone is totally a great practice to maintain your shoulders. AND a super great example!
...
But we'd break it down
1 Cue - the cut is above eye level
2 Craving - you want to cut it easily
3 Response - you climb higher or reposition yourself
4 Reward - you cut within your power zone (or below eye level) ...

another example could be smoking cigarettes
1 you feel stressed & lacking control
2 you crave a sense of control
3 you smoke a cigarette
4 your craving to have control (even if it is as simple as choosing to smoke a cigarette) is satiated (momentarily)

The image below is an example of what habit loops are... our brain creates a pathway to give us a quick solution. It might not always be the right solution, but it doesn't matter to the brain synapsis...
View attachment 90885
1

Bartlett taught me this in leadership school. It's helped in my life as well as at work

 

[Brando CalPankian]

While I was working I never had sleep issues. In retirement...sheesh...I can't remember a long night sleep. I've tried all the regimens too.

I can't sleep well if I don't work myself tired prior. That's a bummer.

 

[Serf Life]

Fresh veggies...few cooked, because I'ev NEVER liked many cook veggies. Salads

For whatever reason I’ve grown increasingly allergic to fresh veggies (almost all of them) which is a bummer when my wife and daughter tend a wee garden, and leafy greens don’t digest well at all. Friends have various allergies to specific fruits/veggies (one to celery and celery seed) but never met someone who gets an itchy throat with any veggie!?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Wow...i'd be a mess if that happened to me. What does an allergist say about your reaction?

 

[Serf Life]

No health insurance but I’ll track it down sometime.

 

[Muggs]

In my experience, the avoidance of things harmful or detrimental is of far greater impact than the adoption of things beneficial. I played around with adding beneficial things to my life for 20 years, e.g. diet , supplements, exercise regimens, etc, but for me, getting off the sauce and staying sober was worth more than all those things combined. Your mileage may vary, but I feel 10 years younger, at least...

 

[Matias]

In my experience, the avoidance of things harmful or detrimental is of far greater impact than the adoption of things beneficial. I played around with adding beneficial things to my life for 20 years, e.g. diet , supplements, exercise regimens, etc, but for me, getting off the sauce and staying sober was worth more than all those things combined. Your mileage may vary, but I feel 10 years younger, at least...

Similarly avoiding the absurd amounts of sugar that are foisted on us is probably in most people's best interest