Take
Heed ... Take a Break
I'm hearing more and more every day about executives
and busy professionals who are increasing their doses
of anti-depressants and making very poor lifestyle choices
that are only increasing their stress levels. It's a
vicious circle. More stress; more depression. More depression;
more anti-depressants. More anti-depressants; more lethargy.
More lethargy; less exercise. Less exercise; more depression…and
so on and so on.
Here are 7 simple tips for taking control of one's
health and one's life - even if corporate America is
your 'second' home:
Tip #1: Give yourself
enough time in the morning to read a self-development
book or listen to a motivational CD. If it's a full
hour's program, just listen for 15 minutes - just enough
time to get you into a positive flow for the day ahead.
If it's a lengthy book, read only one chapter. But,
really think about how you will apply whatever 'nuggets'
you uncovered into your current day and its challenges.
Tip #2: Spend the
next 15 minutes in an early morning, vigorous walk,
ride a stationary bike or march in place rapidly to
music. This will get your heart going and kick up your
metabolism, which also reduces stress and increases
the endorphins in the brain. Increasing endorphins in
the brain will lower the potential for the onset of
depression.
Tip #3: Eat a high
protein/low fat breakfast and drink a glass of orange
juice. Better yet, eat an orange. Never underestimate
the benefits of a good breakfast. This alone will also
kick up your metabolism.
Tip #4: Always
take a lunch break - no matter how much work you have.
Do NOT bring your lunch back to your desk. LEAVE your
desk and eat in the lunchroom or cafeteria or go to
a restaurant. Stay away from cheeseburgers and fries
and hot roast beef sandwiches. Eat salads and fruit
for lunch or have a tuna sandwich on multi-grain bread.
Don't waste your calories on the white demon (white
bread).
Tip #5: Drink water
throughout the day equal to 1/2 your body weight in
ounces. This is not an option. Lay off of the soda,
diet sodas, iced teas, and coffees. The acidic environments
caused by teas and coffees inhibit weight loss and optimal
weight maintenance. The sugars and sodium levels of
soft drinks, especially "diet" soft drinks,
also inhibit weight loss and cause many other health
problems from cancers to high blood pressure to inflammation.
Tip #6: Breathe
deeply several times in a row several times during the
course of your day. This is one of the best ways to
detoxify our bodies and also stabilizes blood pressure
and provides a calming effect.
Tip #7: Remember
that if you don't take care of "you" you will
not be able to take care of anybody else - nor will
you be able to meet your responsibilities at the office.
Listen to your body and if you need to take a 5 minute
break and walk away from your desk to clear your head
- then by all means walk away. Trust me; it will all
be there when you get back.
Make every day count. There are no guarantees that
we'll have another one.
See Debra's Other Articles:
Get Your
Body in Motion
Filliing
the Empty Nest with YOU
Debra also has a book at: http://tinyurl.com/DebraCostanzo-StressOut
and will appear on Blog
Talk Radio Nov. 12, 2009
Contact: Debra Costanzo, www.3in1fitness.com
about this article, with any questions, or for a free
coaching consultation:
Telephone: 570-689-3878
Cell: 570-510-8792
Copyright Protection and Reprint Rights: This
article and accompanying tips are fully copyrighted
by the author, but can be reprinted without permission
provided the article links back to this page:
http://www.800Muses.com/muse-profiles/muse-debra1.htm
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