School is out and summertime is here! Yay! Seemingly, more time to do things "you want to do for yourself" since we have more daylight hours and maybe less schedules to meet if kids schedules are part of your regular routine. But, in this, we sometimes add more "to-do's" to our schedule that are nothing to benefit our personal self care, and continue to put ourselves on the back burner.
There is hope, we can still be busy and maintain a healthy lifestyle, it just requires a little forethought, time and some effort, but IT IS WORTH IT. Try not to get overwhelmed by all the tasks and plans you have. Staying on track, even on the busiest days will be much easier if you have a plan in place. Let's look at some tips and tricks to help you stay healthy while keeping up with your summer schedule.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is essential for healthy living when you're constantly on the go. Map out the week ahead of time, like the weekend before, or even the end of the week before, so you know what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. Include meal planning and workouts in your schedule so that they become part of your daily routine rather than an afterthought. And, we know planning our meals can also help us avoid unhealthy takeout and save money. And for those vacation times, go and enjoy! Just plan, a little of it anyway. I know vacation can be a time for letting it all go, but just be mindful of your choices. And, keep exercise in your routine while in vacation mode. It's a great opportunity to exercise in a different way, in a different environment! Just do something that will provide benefit and movement to your body. I promise, your mind and body will feel much better upon return if you continue some sort of mindful eating and exercise routine while away, and it wont be the dread of "starting over" when you get back.
Prioritize Exercise
It may seem counterintuitive to add another thing to an already busy schedule, if exercise isn't a current part. However, it's essential for keeping your body and mind healthy while still allowing plenty of time for other activities. And, you will feel so much better completing the other tasks; exercise provides energy, so therefore you will feel better physically and mentally about it all. And, you will very likely find that you rest better and sleep better when you prioritize exercise into our day. Try maybe breaking up your exercise sessions into smaller chunks throughout the day rather than stressing over trying to find a full half hour or hour; this way, if something else comes up unexpectedly, you will at least have some, if not all, of your exercise in for that day.
Find Balance
Finding a balance between work and leisure activities is essential, regardless of how busy your schedule might be. I know this, but I have to be honest and say that I do personally struggle with this sometimes. Time blocking is helping me with this, so if you haven't tried it, I do recommend giving it a try. Just make sure that no matter how much work needs doing, there is ALWAYS some time left over just for yourself each day. Whether earlier in the morning, time for gratitude journaling (another act I highly recommend!), or take a walk around the block after dinner, soak in a bath, or read a book before bed. (And reviewing your gratitude journal you wrote earlier in the day is such a great way to set a positive mindset before you doze off to sleep, rather than the typical thought process of the to-do's for the next day creeping in already.) Whatever helps you balance out all of those emails, phone calls, traffic, disgruntle people you may have encountered, the acts of the day, give yourself some self-love and wind-down time doing something you enjoy that calms your day; your gut will thank you also.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting realistic goals for yourself is key to staying motivated and focused on your health goals. If your schedule is too packed with commitments, don't give yourself too much pressure by trying to do too much in one day. Instead of aiming for an hour-long workout daily, set smaller goals like taking 10-minute walks whenever you can or doing yoga stretches before bedtime. These small bouts of time to exercise may seem insignificant, but all great things start small and add up to big things over time.
Take Breaks
It's important not to overload yourself while trying to stay healthy during busy times — make sure you allow yourself breaks throughout the day. Take regular stretch breaks throughout the day, or find a few minutes each day to sit down and meditate before getting back into it. A simple walk outdoors will do wonders for your mental state and energy levels. Taking short breaks throughout the day will improve your focus and keep your energy levels up, helping you get through the week without feeling burnt out.
Staying healthy during busy times isn't impossible - it just requires careful planning and dedication. With thoughtful goal setting, mindful meal planning, and ample self-care, we can all maintain a healthy living lifestyle even when life gets overwhelming, and even through the longer days of summer and vacations.
Always...
Keeping Body & Mind IN-MotioN,
Angie
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