Sometimes the normal pace of life can feel like a daily grind. Especially for women, who typically take on the lion’s share of household tasks and responsibilities in addition to working a full-time job. This also means that women sacrifice personal time when it comes to things like exercise and stress reduction. How does one get off the daily grind?
Making room for these important elements of life can help ensure you have a happier outlook. Also a more positive work-life balance. Let’s look at what can help you identify the self-improvements that are right for you.
Work It In
If you’re looking to improve your overall wellness in a holistic manner. It may need to be done in a way that fits your hectic lifestyle. Even 15-minute exercise blocks are better than none at all. Look for natural places to work healthy activities into your day via habit stacking. This is where you put a healthy habit next to something else you do on a regular basis. For example, if your morning routine includes getting up for a cup of coffee and reading news headlines before you get in the shower and go to work. Add 15 minutes to the clock between the time you have your coffee and get showered and use it to hit the exercise bike or walk around your neighborhood. The more opportunities you can “stack” into your everyday routine, the more likely you are to stick with them.
Prep Your Meals
While it can feel like a sacrifice to give up half a day on a weekend to prepare your meals for the week. You’ll actually be buying yourself some time and reducing stress during the workweek. Wouldn’t it be nice to open up your freezer, pull out a prepackaged smoothie and microwavable homemade soup? It’s also much easier to have crock-pot meals. Put your meal on a low setting in the morning and have ready to eat when you get home at night. According to Real Simple, not only does this reduce stress throughout the week, it also helps ensure you’re eating healthy well-balanced meals when you’re on the go.
Relieve Stress
While it is always easier said than done. Making a conscious effort to reduce the stressors in your life can provide good benefits. It can help you eat better, sleep better, have more energy, as well as be more present for yourself and your family. Just like you wedge in exercise in small increments, work meditation, and relaxation breathing into your everyday life as well. Even if you’re in the office, block out 15 or 20 minutes between meetings where you can sit in solitude or listen to calming music. These little pockets of respite throughout the day can make work less stressful. Also, hire out services where it makes sense to buy yourself a little extra time.
Having regular housekeeping service, grocery delivery, and a dog walker can give you back a significant amount of time. Exercise can not only help with fitness but builds the mind. Great for stress relief, you can read more about it HERE.
Utilize Technology
While for some people, relaxation involves unplugging from technology, according to Human Kinetics, there are some positive ways tech can keep you focused on your exercise and wellness routine. For example, a fitness tracker or smartwatch can help you monitor steps taken. It can also track calories, foods consumed, water intake, blood pressure, and other health traits. You can listen to music while you exercise or download relaxing and soothing meditation music. Jazz up your smartwatch or Fitbit with a pretty band or screen protector. Add in high-quality and stylish workout clothes like wireless sports bras, leggings, and comfy shoes to make your workout a breeze.
When it comes to living a healthy life, self-care measures can help you avoid getting burned out or run down. Prioritize yourself and you’ll be in a better place to manage the myriad stresses of everyday life.
