An Often Overlooked Link between Diet and Enjoyment of Life
The metabolic functions that take place within the human body proceed most efficiently when the body’s cells and organs place the metabolizing substances in an environment with a neutral pH (7.35). Because diet can aid maintenance of such an environment, experts in marine catering companies must keep that fact in mind, when selecting items for the pantry in any catered vessel. In fact, diet, more than any other factor plays a huge role in determination of the pH at which the functions of the human body get carried to completion. Still, professionals in maritime catering services would be foolish to assume that a healthful diet provides assurance that all members of a cargo vessel will experience the benefits associated with a pH-balanced system. Other aspects of a seafarer’s lifestyle can enhance or detract from the body’s ability to maintain a healthy pH level. For example, readiness to harbor a negative attitude can trigger development of an acidic environment within the confines of an agitated and negative-thinking man, such as the member of a cargo ship’s team.
How negative thoughts help to bring on stress
Negative thinking breeds anxiety. Anxiety leads to development of stress, because it triggers release of the hormone known as cortisol. That hormone’s presence explains the increased desire for sugary, salty and fatty foods in stressed individuals. At the same time, it represents the primary reason for a reduction in the brain’s decision-making skills. Experts in on board management of a ship’s crew ought to take note of that fact. A stressed crew member will not have a healthy and balanced system. As a result, that same man will find it almost impossible to experience an enjoyable life. Consequently, the benefits ensured by a high quality of victualling management need to be supplemented with the existence of anxiety-fighting rituals, which serve as avenues for alleviating a crew member’s stress.
Methods that serve as de-stressing exercises
Meditation represents one of the ideal means for removal of stress. It forces a man to slow down and to focus on matters of the mind and spirit. When a man has acquired such a focus, then he does a better job of dealing with the stressing aspects of his life. By the same token, meditation encourages a man to take better care of his body. Professionals in ship crew management must understand what happens when a man has chosen to take care of his body. At that point, he normally feels well-disposed to serving others. Now authorities in a marine catering company realize that a healthful diet must include items from all the major food groups. Similarly, any professional in victualling management that cares about the attitude of crew members on a catered vessel must consider more than one means for alleviating any of the stress felt by members of a catered ship’s cargo team. In other words, diet and meditation do not represent the only way for every one of a ship’s team members to enjoy a satisfying and rewarding lifestyle. Other useful approaches utilize techniques such as yoga, light stretching exercises, deep-breathing exercises and any other activities that the team members enjoy. Obviously, whenever a seafarer has been allowed to do something pleasurable, then he will feel removed from stress, at least temporarily. Hence, all marine catering companies must arrange for each team’s day on a catered vessel to include a combination of both work and play.