Hi! Welcome back to #FitFriday! Quite often, right around 3:00 in the afternoon, I find myself asking...where did the day go? Many of us find ourselves asking that question every single day. The majority of Americans agree that we should prioritize wellness, exercise, clean eating, and doing things that bolster our immunity. Unfortunately, many people have difficulty organizing these concepts into their daily schedule. Going from stressed to strong doesn't have to be hard. Simply organize these priorities into small, easy to manage tasks per day. Here are 5 changes you can make to create a more stress free lifestyle:
1) Do the most important thing first. It sounds simple, but most of us put off the thing that is critical and instead focus on what feels easy. Instead, focus on your highest priority first and finish that task before noon. By doing so, it will energize the rest of your day with feelings of success. That will empower you with the motivation to keep going and finish the remainder of your day.
2) Exercise first thing in the morning. Before you head off to work, or drop off the kids, do at least 30 minutes of exercise. You can find a yoga class online, walk outside, or jog on the treadmill. By moving your whole body for 30 minutes, it will help you feel accomplished and strong.
3) Go to bed an hour earlier. Starting the day refreshed and energized can help to attain a feeling of balance and wellness. In fact, according to Eric J. Olson, MD., of the Mayo clinic, adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Dr. Olson says, "getting less than seven hours of sleep a night on a regular basis has been linked with poor health, including weight gain, having a body mass index of 30 or higher, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and depression."
4) Have a start and stop time for your work day. Be sure to incorporate self-care as a priority appointment in your schedule. If you constantly sacrifice something you love to do in favor of working late-you can find yourself feeling grumpy and sad, which can impact your overall well-being. Evaluate and find 30 minutes in your day you might be sacrificing--doing activities that are not serving you, then eliminate them. Turn down invitations that are not consistent with your priorities. Gaining back those 30 minutes can allow you the opportunity to enjoy a home cooked meal, exercise or catch up on needed sleep.
5) Plan your meals. Healthy eating habits can be difficult if you feel strapped for time. When you plan a weekly meal schedule, it's much easier to avoid the drive-through or ordering takeout. Consider creating a weekly menu and shopping list on Sunday's. You will find the week feels more organized and harmonious.
It is within our power to set our routines, habits and rituals. "The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."-Louisa May Alcott. Check back next Friday for more self-care tips and tricks. See you soon! Warmly, Susan