Good health is all about balance. Improve work and your life by ensuring that you eat nourishing food, exercise regularly, and sleep well. Notice when your mind and body are feeling low on energy and take the time to rejuvenate.
Cultural difference: The Japanese government advises its citizens to eat at least 30 different types of food each day so that they obtain the necessary amounts of nutrients in their diet. Western governments are now aware that diets high in salt and saturated fat are major causes of disease in their countries.
Eating well: Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote, “Let food be your medicine.” Make sure you make healthy choices about your diet. Educate yourself about food for your body type and the healthiest diet for your lifestyle. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables during the day to have a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Make sure you get the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Limit your intake of artificial additives and sweetness and control your daily intake of caffeine and alcohol. Try to drink two liters of water per day.
Taking Exercise: Either you take time to be healthy, or you take time to be ill. Recognize that regular exercise is a great way to increase health, boost your energy, have fun, switch off from work, and have an active social life. If you have not exercised for a while, a gym instructor can test your fitness level. Get into the habit of scheduling exercise sessions into your routine just as you would plan an evening out with friends. What exercise have you planned for this week? Get your diary out and book something now.
Relax regularly: Being able to relax is vital for a good work-life balance. Discover which way of relaxing you prefer. Some people like to practice meditation, read quietly, or have a long hot bath. Others prefer more active and social types of relaxation, such as playing sports, going to the cinema, or enjoying meals with friends. Relax regularly, and you will boost your health, enjoy your life more, and improve your performance at work.
Sleeping Better: Adults require an average of eight hours of sleep a night. In the long term, sleep deprivation can lead to mood swings and poor concentration. Are you sleeping well? Do you feel rested when you wake up? A common cause of sleep disruption is a drop in blood sugar levels during the night. Try having a non-sugary snack before you go to bed.
Helping Yourself Sleep: If you have problems sleeping, eat a banana an hour before bedtime. The fruit contains tryptophan, which has natural sedative powers that will help you relax and sleep more soundly. Relax before you go to bed. Light some scented candles and have a bath.
Relaxed Breathing Exercise: Try these breathing exercises before you go to sleep or during moments of stress:
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Ensure your head, neck, and spine are aligned. Close your eyes.
- Breathe into the abdomen area, pushing your stomach out as you breathe in.
- End your relaxation as deliberately as you began.
Increasing Your Vitality: Vitality is a by-product of balanced health and happiness. Boost your vitality by looking after yourself to the full. Enjoy your work and leisure time and have a positive and happy outlook.
Living Life to the Full: Do you live to work or work to live? Life is an adventure. Have the courage to take risks, break routines, and be spontaneous so that you can enjoy new experiences. Live for today and embrace happiness now. If you give yourself wholeheartedly to life, you will increase your vitality. Once you do, you will find that you work better because you will approach challenges with more energy. Remember that life is too precious to waste.
Enjoy Your Work: When work is no longer fun, it can lead to stress and unhappiness. Aim to make your work enjoyable so that your creativity balances your relationships and makes you more successful. It may be necessary to change your job to have something to do with helping others, being of service, or making a difference. Recognize the value of your job and learn to enjoy your work.
Other takeaways:
- Book regular sports or hobbies.
- Make sure you keep your body properly nourished.
- Ensure you eat regular meals.