I really need to reset...

My head is killing me!  Yep, it started late in the day yesterday and has not stopped since.  The tell true sign, for me at least, it’s time to take a break and reset.

I am not sure about all of you but I for one am always going, or at least it sure feels like it.   Not complaining over here, this is actually the lifestyle I thrive in, it beats sitting on my tail idol doing nothing.  But you can only maintain this for so long before it catches up.   My day starts around 3:15 on the weekdays.  I’m in the gym by 3:30, from there I am on the go working on one thing or another the rest of the day.  It generally looks like, get ready, spend some time with my other child (he’s a twelve year old boxer and truly my other child), get some work done with my company then off to work to at my day job which is again nonstop, home, dinner, sneak in some yoga, more work on my company then bed.  And, the cycle continues.   Again, I’m sure this looks somewhat similar to your days. 

This lifestyle can catch up and it is ever so important we all listen to our bodies and mind, take a step back, breathe and re-center.  It took me a long time to realize this.  In fact ten years ago I would have still gone to my office miserable, head pounding, irritable with my teams (which is not OK), and low productivity (which is not a good representation of who I am).  See, all not good things.

I recently came across an old article in Forbes about Workaholics and people who work too much.  Yep, it’s official, I am pretty certain I borderline the definition of “Workaholic”.   When I am not doing something in relation to working out, working my business or working my career, I am thinking about one of them, YIKES!  Type “impact of working too much” in google and you’ll find various studies and articles that speak about the harm from Stress, depression, sitting too much, lack of productivity and more.  Friends I know we all have responsibilities to manage but I hope you will agree with me that balance is important.  This goes for all my mom/dad readers out there too, parenting is a full-time job in and of itself.  I remember when my son was growing up and balancing everything while being a strong supportive parent for Boe. 

When the signs of overwhelm of too much for too long show up, slow down, take a day, in the journey of life it’s really only a blip in time and in the long run it will help keep you healthy and strong for you and those around you!

To help avoid getting to that point, here are some of the things I’ve done to stay healthy in my every day. 

1. I meditate daily.  This has quickly become a non-negotiable for me.  There are days I can only get 5 minutes in but that five minutes helps slow me down, let go of the constant thoughts and center.
2. Be aware of what you are grateful for every day.  In addition to being borderline “workaholic” I tend can get anxious and stressed very quickly.  For me, recognizing each day 3-5 things, or more, that I am grateful for helps minimize the feelings of anxiousness.  In fact, when I am in meetings if I’m feeling stressed, quickly to myself, I’ll think about how grateful I am for everyone in the room generally it quiets those negative thoughts that can come up. 
3. Maintain a healthy diet. I know I know, we have all heard this one for years.  Let me tell you friends, my max weight was over 305 my smallest was 140, weight aside from this, at all points throughout the years during these times when I’ve eaten healthy well balanced meals I felt the best, no matter what my weight was.   I don’t eat healthy 100% of the time, I think it is OK to give yourself free meals occasionally but try eating healthier 10% more then you are now.  You won’t be disappointed in how it makes you feel.   When you have done that you can go to 20%, small steps have always helped me sustain better.
4. Figure out what makes you emotionally happy and do more of it!  We all have triggers, triggers that stress us out, ones that energize us and still others that bring peace.  Start being aware of how the things in your life make you feel and do more of what brings you peace, joy, energy and less of what brings stress (when possible).
5. Build a support system.  I am not sure about all of you but for me, I have different people I go to for different things.  Find people you can count on to give you honest advice, support when your struggling, etc.  Transparently, I was terrible at this for a very long time.  I tried taking everything on my own shoulders and didn’t “vent” to anyone.  I never wanted to be a “complainer”.  This really hurt me emotionally and physically for years.  Talking isn’t complaining.  It’s getting your thoughts out to someone and hopefully getting honest (sometimes tough) feedback.  Heck, email me, I’ll listen.
6. Breathe and try yoga.  This one took a lot of work for me.  Breathe seriously, why on earth do I need to focus on this, my brain tells my body to breathe.  And, slowing down to do yoga, I’m more of a fast and heavy type of workout girl.  Trust me, if I can get good at these things so can you.  And, you won’t regret the benefits.  Google belly breathing benefits, from stress relief to better posture to better respiratory, there are a lot of benefits.  After that, hop over to Youtube and search how to belly breathe and they will teach you.  While you are there check out basic yoga, you can do these two together.  Google benefits of yoga if you are not yet familiar. 

 
These are the top six that have benefited me most.   Of course, getting in nature, getting good sleep, scheduling “you” time, and getting exercise all very important too.  We are all different, unique, amazing beings, try different things, see what positively promotes your well being then do more of that. 
   
Stay well friends, much love!

Jen