Are you one of the folks who has a crazy busy day from the moment the alarm goes off until it is time once again to go to bed? Do you feel as though everyone else’s needs come first and you never have time for your own wellness? If so, then you are not alone and there is hope for you! For so many people the demands of family, home, work and school can be overwhelming. The thought of adding even one more thing in seems hopeless. The key is to start small and build from there. Add on one small change and when you realize it simply is a part of your routine, it seems less daunting to add the next small change.
Changes even a busy person can make
To me, the easiest thing to add is deep breathes. If you are someone who eats in front of the computer, step away. No matter how stressed, slow down, take three deep breathes before you take the first bite and notice what your meal looks like and smells like. Savor the flavors and the time to tune into what your body is telling you. Then continue to breathe between bites and notice when you’re full. Odds are you’ll end up eating much less (and feeling much better)!
The same thing when racing through traffic, breathe. With construction a familiar sight on the roads and crazy drivers from all over the country, our local traffic can be a real stressor. Stress is one of the biggest enemies of wellness there is. Instead of joining in with anger at your fellow commuters, why not just take some deep breathes each time you stop at a traffic light? Get the oxygen flowing through out your body and leave the stress behind. Listen to some favorite tunes or a good audio book, make the commute your transition time from work to home. You might even put a few drops of lavender oil in the car to get the added benefits of aroma therapy.
While at the office, stand whenever you can. Stand while you take phone calls, if possible walk around. Standing burns twice the calories than sitting and it gets the blood flowing to the extremities. You can also begin to do “deskercise”. For instance, you might keep resistance bands at your desk and between phone calls pull them out for a set of ten reps. Have some filing to do? Why not do squats when putting things away in the lower shelves and cabinets?
Healthy changes for the busy
Instead of meeting for coffee or drinks, begin to live an active lifestyle. Meet a friend to walk and talk or for a game or class. While there may not always be time for a real workout, living actively helps. Spend time dancing or jumping or just plain playing with your kids. That way, you have quality time with them as well as teach them the value of moving the body.
If you are a smoker you are not only doing something unhealthy, but also wasting a lot of time. The average cigarette takes eleven minutes to smoke, while simultaneously taking away eleven minutes of life. So, want to add time on to your day and your life? Trade smoking for anything else that is heathy, legal and nonfattening! Try my favorite health tip once again and breathe deep!
It is helpful to turn off the technology at the end of the day. Take a break from emails and messages and even social media. Your phone, television, and computer all have screens that emit artificial or blue light. Since we spend 90 percent of our waking hours staring at “glowing rectangles,” that’s definitely a problem. This light suppresses the release of melatonin, which helps you fall asleep. You will find you sleep better as a result. Also, it allows you to connect with family at a much better level.
Make your changes personal
There are many more ways that the little things can add up to a big and healthy change. Start with a few of these suggestions and you will soon find yourself creating a list of your own, one that is personal and works for you. No matter how busy you are, if you don’t take time for you, your body will slow you down. So be proactive before it is time to be reactive.
Clutter can be overwhelming for the busy, yet having the time to eliminate it may be hard to find. Still if you are constantly looking for lost items, you are wasting time. If everything is in order, you can get out the door with less stress and more time. Many years ago I found a tremendously helpful website to help the busy clean up and declutter. It is Flylady.
Hypnosis for the busy
Hypnosis can help you find a way to understand your personal priorities and reset your day so that it reflects them. It is also known for the reduction of stress. Let’s face it, less stress makes everything better. I have recorded audios as short as ten minutes for the busy client who wants to make healthy changes for the better. I have also taught many busy people how to use self-hypnosis on the run.
