Exhaustion Is Not Attractive

By Frances Cheung, HHC, AADP

 

As a busy professional, maintaining work-life balance is extremely important; yet for some reason, it’s also sometimes difficult to do.

But consider this: an overly busy schedule can lead to feelings of burnout, which may result in lack of sleep, not eating well, and feeling so exhausted that you find yourself forgetting appointments, canceling appointments, having mood swings, and not following through on plans.  It can also lead to more serious health problems, including adrenal fatigue and high blood pressure.

Lack of quality sleep and a nutrient-poor diet can also adversely affect skin tone, leave you with dark, puffy eyes and feeling overall worn out and tired.  Lastly, exhaustion is not only unattractive, but it also hampers you from truly enjoying your personal, social and professional life. 

So before you squeeze another appointment into your already-full calendar, check out my top five tips below to help you avoid the exhaustion pitfall and instead feeling more sexy, vibrant and alive!   ;)

 

• 1.     Aim to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. 

With everyone’s busy schedules these days, it’s not always possible to get the full 7-8 hours of sleep each night, but you should aim for this as much as possible.  If you have a presentation or early morning meeting and are unable to get the 7-8 hours of sleep the night beforehand, make sure you’re able to “catch up” on sleep the following night.  Continuous lack of sleep can cause your body to crash sooner or later, and you may find yourself bingeing on sugary foods and borrowing energy from caffeinated beverages just to keep yourself going, all of which can lead to more serious health problems over time.

 

• 2.     Drink at least 6-8 cups of water every day.

Your body is about 75% water, and water plays a vital role in almost every organ function in your body.  Keep yourself hydrated by keeping a water bottle handy at your desk and on the go.

 

• 3.     Schedule in your downtime!

This may seem a little silly at first, but sometimes you may be so busy that you forget to take time to yourself.  Schedule downtime into your calendar just like you would any other appointment, and make sure you don’t break your own plans!  Ideas include getting an extra hour of sleep, getting a relaxing massage, treating yourself to a manicure, or catching a movie with your girlfriends or significant other.

 

• 4.     Improve the quality of your food.
• ·         Unprocessed, unrefined, whole foods are best.  Emphasize a diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies; dark, leafy greens; and whole grains.
• ·         Sufficient vitamins/minerals/nutrients are needed to boost your energy and keep your immune system healthy and strong.  An easy way to ensure you are getting your vitamins is to incorporate color into your diet – i.e., carrots (orange), dark, leafy greens such as kale or collard greens (green), and apples or strawberries (red).  Different colors represent different nutritional properties, and color in produce makes it simple and easy for the busy woman on the go.
• ·         Evaluate the amount of protein in your diet - too much protein can make you feel sluggish and on the other hand, adequate protein is needed to balance blood sugar levels and help you feel more grounded.  A good nutrition counselor can help you to figure out the right amount of protein for you.
• 5.      Get physical activity.  

Exercising increases blood flow and circulation, and also strengthens your body to protect itself against viruses.  Find a way to incorporate some form of exercise every day.  Start with simple activities, like walking, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, getting off the subway one stop early or yoga—start with 15 minutes a day and gradually increase.  The goal is not to over-commit yourself and make it feel like another added chore on your list, but to use it in a way that supports your health and well-being.

 

Frances Cheung is a board certified Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor.  Her mission is to inspire, motivate and empower busy professionals in taking really good care of themselves through step-by-step nutrition and lifestyle guidance, so they can enjoy vibrant health and live the life they desire.  Frances specializes in digestive wellness, stress management, and addressing skin conditions from the inside-out.  Visit www.francescheung.com for more information on Frances, her coaching programs and upcoming events.