Are you exhausted? Discover my top 3 tips to revitalize!
Alarm goes off... body not ready to wake up yet. Hit the coffee. Get dressed for work. Lather on some makeup to cover up those tired bags under the eyes and run out the door with a piece of toast in hand.
The day is overloaded again, meetings are back to back. No time for a break or lunch... Just sit at the desk and respond to important emails while scoffing down a pre-made sandwich and washing it down with a diet coke (no time to work out any more so gotta avoid the excess calories).
Day done. Commute home. Exhausted. Pick up some take out... Chinese will do. Kick off the shoes, put the feet up and zone the day out with some brainless TV. It's been a big day so feeling like a generous pour of vino or a sweet treat after dinner is well deserved. Feeling a little guilty but spend the next hour justifying it... I'll just skip breakfast and have a banana tomorrow to make up for it. Sorted. Time for bed. Can't fall asleep. Thinking of what the boss said and how much work is scheduled for tomorrow. Ahhhh... finally - sleep.
This is all too common in Western culture and the "modern" world. Being this busy on a regular basis is not healthy. It is a recipe for a whole range of health problems including adrenal fatigue, weight gain, excess inflammation, chronic stress, and mood imbalance. Our body is an intelligent machine that will do the best it can to maintain homeostasis in any situation or environment you put it in. But it is possible to deplete the body of its supplies and even more concerning its back up reserves when it comes to trying to cope with ongoing stress. The last thing you want to do is end up having a total burn out or falling victim to illness, disease or even cancer.
So what can we all do about it? Here are some basics to get you started:
* Where possible, go to bed earlier, at a regular time, and enjoy approximately 8 hours of rejuvenating sleep each night. With consistency, you will find you don't even need to set an alarm clock to wake up (maybe set one as back up just incase!). The body naturally wakes up well rested and ready to take on a new day. Sleeping with the curtains open helps as you allow your body to rise with the sun, my personal favorite natural alarm clock.
* Schedule your day with "healthy breaks" to stretch your body, get some fresh air, enjoy a nutritious lunch outdoors in the sun, go for a short walk around the block to improve circulation, or even meditate for 5 minutes to clear the mind. Consider working away for set blocks of time, say 2 hours, then breaking for 30 minutes, doing another 2 hours of work, and again breaking for 30 minutes etc. Notice how much more productive you are using this formula instead of going hard all day long until you literally can't think or function anymore. You will get way more done, be happier and feel healthier for it.
* When you get home, make time for cooking a quick and easy dinner that is nutritious. A 20 minute meat and veg stir fry, bowl of lentil soup, an omelet or pan seared fish are all great options. Instead of putting on the TV (which is like junk food for the brain), unwind with a soothing bath, get in your cozy clothes, play some chill out music, or relax with a good book. A better choice for a sweet treat than ice-cream is savoring a couple of squares of organic dark chocolate or enjoying a handful of ripe berries. Check out my Pinterest Folders for endless recipe inspiration.
This approach to tackling the busy work day is much more enjoyable, balanced and sustainable for the health of your body and mind. Contact me for personalized Health Coaching to help get you to where you want to be! Also, sign up for my FREE Monthly Newsletter on my website home page.