Balancing Health and A Hectic Lifestyle
A hectic work schedule often forces us to neglect one of the most essential aspects of our lives — our wellness routine. As we navigate through deadlines, meetings and responsibilities, our health can easily take a backseat. However, we need to recognize the benefits of good health not just in our personal lives but also professional success and overall happiness as well. With careful planning, dedication and some effort this is definitely achievable.
“Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”
What comprises a healthy routine?
Healthy nutrition, exercise (such as aerobics, yoga, or pilates), adequate sleep, rest, and mental wellness, including spending quality time with family, friends, and leisure activities, are all essential components of a wellness regimen. Of highest importance is striking a balance between job and taking care of our health.
So here are some ways to juggle your busy schedules with these simple, doable, evidence-based hacks. I have been following this, and these strategies have been effective for me.
Setting priorities along with a commitment to achieve our goals is the key.
Sleep
In addition to being a major cause of health issues, lack of sleep and rest also contribute to burnout and poor decision-making.
Therefore, aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep every daywhich is possible by :
Reducing screen time at least an hour before going to bed
Stop eating 3 hours and taking liquids (especially caffeine) 2 hours before sleeping
Establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time
Make your bedroom calm, comfortable, and noise-free.
For more information on the positive effects of sleep and napping please read my article : https://medium.com/@travelsimplygo/the-science-of-napping-how-power-naps-can-improve-your-health-and-productivity-17a22e17b68c
Plan your meals
Prepare and cook your meals in advance whenever possible. This can help you avoid relying on fast food or unhealthy snacks in between your tight work schedule. Being in India is an advantage in the sense that there is an easy availability of house help at reasonable prices. So kitchen tasks can be delegated without being bothered about cooking every day.
Opt for balanced meals that include a variety of vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. For more information about what constituents a fulfilling, nutritious diet, please read my article: https://medium.com/@travelsimplygo/top-seven-superfoods-for-optimal-health-bda9d3be3f3f
Eat mindfully and in moderation.
Time for Exercise
If you don’t have hours to devote to workouts, you can still manage to find a few minutes here and there for doing short bursts of exercises. That’s also quite effective. Some other ways are :
If it’s not too far off, walk to your work instead of driving. Take a stroll wherever possible. I usually go walking to pick up my kid from school and that’s sufficient physical activity for me.
Choose activities that you enjoy, such as biking, dancing, or playing sports to make it more sustainable.
The best utilization of money is on health. Any amount of money spent on your health if it changes your behavior, it is worth it. If you don’t get time to go to the gym, invest money in buying health equipments. This way you’ll save time and laziness of going to the gym. I have a foldable treadmill in my home, which is so useful. I workout on it irrespective of the time, whenever I am free.
Practice stress reduction techniques, like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to maintain perfect health.
It may require some trial and error to find what works best for you. But the key is to be proactive and committed to making health and wellness an integral part of your daily routine.
