Learning safety techniques is
usually not high on most people's priority list; because it's something we take
for granted. Many of us have a false sense of security thinking that someone
else is protecting us. We think our husbands, boyfriends, fathers and even our
cell phones will save us if we are in a dangerous predicament. In my opinion,
personal safety is the most overlooked dimension of our health. In my quest to
keep people strong, safe and sexy, here are four essentials to keep you safe:
1. Dress Safely
Yes, what we wear can hinder
or help us in the face of adversity. Be sure to buy gym bags and handbags that
cross the body, leaving your hands free to defend yourself. Hoods and oversized
hats can block your peripheral vision. Beanies and earmuffs will keep you warm
and allow you to see a potential threat approaching you from the side. Mittens
are a no-no for safety as you can't hold onto an improvised weapon, or use your
fingers for protection.
And ladies, as my
martial-arts Master always used to tell me: Don't wear any shoes that you can't
run in! So start training in your stilettos STAT.
2. Run Safely
When running early in the
morning or in the evening, wearing running gear with reflective lighting is
great for avoiding getting hit by a car, but it also can make you a target to a
potential predator. I'm not saying to stay indoors, just please be sure to keep
your awareness heightened. Leave the headphones at home and sing to yourself or
use mantras and visualizations to fuel your run instead of tunes, especially
when it's dark.
3. Walk Like a New Yorker
I lived in New York City’s
Chinatown for seven of my fifteen years in Manhattan and I learned a lot about walking.
If you weren't aware or walking with a purpose you may just get knocked over.
It's a busy neighborhood, and some streets are so crowded with people, fish
markets, delivery trucks and bad smells, that you're in complete sensory
overload. There's no time to “mentally check out.”
That was good practice that I can take with me anywhere in the world. The key
to awareness when out and about is to avoid looking like a big walking target.
No more lollygagging around
especially while traveling in foreign cities. Always act like you know where
you're going, even if you don't. Travel with a map and study it inside a café
or hotel before heading out into the streets. Communicate with your body. Walk
with your shoulders back and head up. Let your body language say, “back
off!”
4. Drive Safely
If you live in a city, big or
small, where car transportation dominates, then car safety should be on your safety
check list. Always check around your car before you enter it. Lock your car
doors as soon as you get in. We often rely on newer cars to lock them once you
put it in drive. However, if a carjacker or attacker wants to get in, chances
are he's going to follow you in before the car takes off! If you take cabs, be
sure to have them drop you off directly in front of your destination if it's
late at night.
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