So, when I first began I focused on financial stress & getting your financial picture mapped. After I accomplished this, I really wanted to get my house in order – reduce clutter, etc, but I was tired, weary and somewhat overwhelmed, so instead I decided to focus on doing 1 thing each day to work towards a healthier self!
Reducing Stress by Getting Healthy! PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT A DR, JUST SHARING WHAT I DID WHICH WORKED FOR ME! PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DR BEFORE MAKING LIFESTYLE CHANGES/CHOICES!
I’ve always known the benefits of 5 a day and in truth, pretty much always get them, but I knew my body was lethargic and there were improvements that could be made, so I employed the following tactics.
1. Get a fruit or veg with every single meal and snack: This was already mostly the norm for me – I’d start the day with cereal or toast, but made sure I had an apple, orange etc as well. Similarly for lunch, and for dinner making sure I had at least 1 veggie (and potatoes don’t count!). Snacks were carrot sticks with dip or a bowl of grapes. There were days I was exhausted and thought an easy leftover lasagna would do the trick, but I’d take that minute or two to make veggies as well. Making sure I got my 5 a day every single day made my body feel like it had more energy pretty quickly!
2. Make sure you drink enough water – I knew I was really really letting my body down regarding water consumption. So I employed a tactic that worked for me, I knew for me it was easier to drink water out of a bottle, but it is ridiculous to buy bottled water all the time, so instead I invested in a reusable bottle and filled it up in the am, at work, when I got home. I started adding probably 3 glasses of water a day, but within a couple of months I was at 6 – as I’ve mentioned before it helped clear my skin and give me more energy!
3. I committed to getting active – this was hard, I was working long hours, trying very hard to get my finances in order, but I knew I needed to get moving! I also knew it needed to be a frugal form of exercise – so, I stared with a 15 minute walk each evening, within a week I’d built it to 30 minutes. Within a month I was taking a 30 minute walk in the am and a good 30-45 minute walk in the evenings. Sometimes I’d invite friends, other times I’d prefer to take it on my own. Then I made the goal of getting in a unique form of exercise each weekend – for example swimming or taking a longer walk – 1-2 hrs etc. I can’t believe how quickly this became the norm!
4. Sleep – We all know we should get approx 8 hrs a night and while everyone is different and I swore I was a 6.5 hr a night sleeper, oh how wrong I was. Once I started committing to going to bed 30 minutes earlier, turning the tv & radio off a good 1/2 hr before I wanted to go to bed and reading a book instead I started sleeping much better and actually feeling rested in the mornings! That hadn’t happened in years!
5. Social interaction – I honestly think I, and probably most of us spend too long at the computer (yes, I admit having a blog probably doesn’t help ;0) ), sitting in front of a tv, texting and emailing but actually, we need social interaction and while it’s fine in front of a computer screen, we also need it with real live people. I dramatically cut down on the number of texts I sent, instead inviting friends out for coffee or a walk. I also started to recognize that it is quite nice to have alone and down time, so tried to give myself at least 2 evenings a week and some part of the weekend. I began to set boundaries around friendships that were hurtful or upsetting and instead focused on the fact I had a right to feel good and to spend time with those who I have good, positive interactions with.
None of these are rocket science, but in truth, if people want to know how I cleared my debt, how I got focused on saving, how I changed my life, then honestly getting health in mind & body was a very large part of that. If you are stressed, tired, constantly on a blood sugar rush/crash, then your mind & soul can’t concentrate on anything but your basic needs. We all owe it to ourselves to listen to our bodies because then they may begin to listen to us!\
p.s. Thanks for all the blog awards & mentions – I’m still traveling – back tomorrow late evening! Can’t wait to be back in my own bed :0)
that’s good advice, about sleeping. i am one of those people that is convinced I “only need” 6 1/2 hours, which sounds like a decent amount, especially after all those grad school years of ~5 hrs a night! but i know that i would do better with 8 and that when i let myself sleep 8, my body starts to demand it. ah…. i’m now inspired to sleep more!
They may individually seem like simple little things, but taken together, this can be a powerful guide to more healthful living. Thanks for reminding me to eat more fruit!
Mangos… mmmm… sleeping in … mmmmm…
I absolutely love your blog … your attitude … your accomplishments. I totally agree with your social interaction comments and setting boundaries with friends. I have just recently come to the realization that my friends that I had in my teens just aren’t working in my adult years. Sometimes we feel “obligated” to keep friends just because. But when it begins to become a chore, or your beliefs are growing different from theirs … it’s ok to make changes. Please continue your awesome blog. I do miss reading it when you’re out of town
These are all so true! Another factor in lethargy is your peronality. Introverts get tired more often due to overstimulations. Once I read the book, “The Introvert Advantage” I found ways to control my environment & lifestyle so I could have more energy.
I have also found that excercise is one of the most important things for energy levels. It seems to affect sleep as well, if I’m excercising I sleep well, if I slack off I have a hard time sleeping.
Great post, wise words.
Good advice!
I need to find a way to incorporate this in my life as well.
Hi there-a really good post and the things I want to do more regularly is drinking more water and cutting the computer by 6.30 pm at the latest. I’ve been doing this all week except tonight, as my son was doing his homework on here!! But, good pointers and worth keeping in mind!!
I like the idea of eating a bit of fruit or veg every time you have a snack or eat. I have been making a concerted effort towards a 5 a day – I realised i had reverted to a lot of toast in my diet! and am doing one sun salutation a day and a yoga class tomorrow. looking forward to it. its exercise and ‘me time’ all rolled into one. Am also inspired by the idea of only having clothes that have been ethically made / made by artisans / local designers. And was even more inspired by visiting the brighton design and craft fair. although this did make me spend / want to spend more money!!
Great list. Everything on there is something I’m actively working on in my own life right now. As I read, I started gulping down the rest of my water. I challenge myself to get through 1L before lunch, and another before I go from work. I’m way behind today, so thanks for the reminder.
gosh, i need that sleep reminder all the time. i’m terrible!
I have a terrible time getting enough fruit and veg into my daughter. She doesn’t eat any fruit apart from some berries (and then only now and then) and doesn’t bother with breakfast or lunch unless I make it for her, which I usually can’t. She’s 19 so really ought to be doing these things herself. She does drink lots of water though so I suppose that’s something.
I totally agree with regarding social interaction. I often feel very isolated because of my condition (can’t always get to meet-ups with friends etc) and that can quickly bring me down. But like you say, it isn’t just about being with any old body, you have to find the people you really enjoy being with if a friendship’s to be worthwhile.
Health is absolutely the most important thing, so I’m so pleased that you’re focussing on that, especially when you’re so busy at the moment!
I agree, walking is absolutely the best exercise and the most easy method of incorporating a regular exercise regime without feeling like you’re doing exercise!! Without changing any other aspect of my diet etc I lost about 7 pounds since walking to and from work about a year ago. It’s 40 minutes each way, and at first it was a chore (esp in winter) but now I actually look forward to it! It clears my head too. I can’t advocate it enough
Take care, lovely x
love this post and the way it keeps it real. i mean, not all of us can manage 2 hours of exercise every day, but for almost all, a small walk every day is very easy to add in.
and social interaction…friendship and simple, daily interaction with people you love has to boost your immune system in some way (not a doctor either, purely common sense here).
p.s. will you still guest blog for me? am waiting till you get settled but still would be honored.
Really great post!
Five very sound pointers to a healthy and less stressful life!! More walking and water would be so good for everyone.
Thanks Frugal xx
I “know” these things intellectually but it is so good and heartening to hear from someone who had the discipline to put this into practice that it really does work! I have been trying to declutter and get my house in order but thinking about it, it is no wonder that I’m not succeeding.
Have a lovely weekend,
Sparkly
Brilliant post! Absolutely the right formula for a healthy life. I am working on the water part! Having penny to walk helps with the exercise. I am now going to put into practice your advice re fruit and veg at every snack/meal.
Psst…come check out my blog…
http://jhcckkm.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-butterfly-award/
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