How to Make Your Day a Whole Lot Better
By Sandy Schroeder
If you could seriously use some extra energy to take you from your morning routine to your evening wrap-up, this may be the time to make a few changes.
Psychologists tell us we are just like our houseplants. We need regular watering, too. We need good nutrients and relaxing moments to do our best work.
Health.com has some simple steps to make that happen.
Open the blinds – Sunlight lifts the mood helping you wake up and start moving. I do this every morning. As I roll up the shades, life just looks a little better.
Cut yourself a break – Get up 15 minutes before everyone else does and stretch a little as you have your coffee. Then you will be ready for the usual morning action that gets everybody fed and out the door.
Eat a good breakfast – Don’t try to make it to lunch with a bagel and coffee. Enjoy a bowl of hot oats with fresh fruit, or a veggie omelet with juice.
Add some steps – You may not be up for a heavy workout, but a brisk mid-morning walk will keep the wheels turning and lift your mood.
Mix up your work – Put your emails on hold and do a solid stretch of work to get a grip on the day. Then get up, move around, or make a few calls. Psychologists say we are good for about 90 minutes of focused work. Keep that in mind as you move back and forth through the day, getting a lot done, and then taking breaks to reenergize. Your mind may be clearer and you may be more pleased with your progress, too.
Take your lunch outside – Either go out with friends for soup and salad, or take a picnic lunch to the park with a quick walk. Eating lunch at your desk probably won’t inspire your day, but it may add quite a few calories.
Break up the afternoon – Hot tea, fresh fruit and a few yoga stretches or chair exercises will keep you awake and moving, much better than cookies and more coffee.
Do an after-work walk – Or make it a short run. Slipping in a little exercise may make your evening better, too.
Create some evening rituals – Making the evenings a special time for you and your family can make the whole day better. You may find everyone looking forward to family suppers, where everyone sits down and talks things out. Or your tradition might be a quiet time before bedtime, reserved for reading and talking. Evening baths, small snacks and good books can help everybody rest better, creating more energy for the next day.
If these little energy tweaks work for you, keep it up. Enjoy the momentum,
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lawrenceville, Ga.