Today I have an interesting article by guest author Alice Henneman, MS, RD! She shares practical tips on how to manage and reduce stress with better self care. You can put these tips into practice starting today for the remainder of the holiday season and beyond!
What’s unique about this article is that Alice compares the care and well-being of your body to a computer. Does your computer work better if you take care of it properly? Well, there you have it. How about taking as good or better care of yourself to avoid or at least reduce some of the stress of the holiday season (which all too often prompts overeating)!
I particularly like the tip she shares to alternate cooking days with workout days. Great idea! There never seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done. So with limited time do you cook for yourself because you have control when it comes to choosing healthy low calorie ingredients for meals and snacks? Or do you make time for workouts and grab something to eat while on the run and hope you burned enough calories to cover the caloric cost? Try the suggestion to cook extra on a few days each week and exercise on the off days. Ahh…time for everything!
There are many more good tips. Enjoy!
Treating Your Body Like a Computer: Trouble-shooting Tips
by Alice Henneman, MS, RD
(Published with permission from the author 12/9/09)
If your body was a computer, would it be receiving lots of “error” messages? Is it beginning to run slower and take longer to “start?” Here’s a checklist to help optimize your performance and prevent crashing.
Are you trying to run too many programs at the same time?
If you’re operating less efficiently because there are too many activities making demands on your system, shut down some programs. Some examples include:
* If time is tight, rather than make a special company dinner from “scratch,” invite people for a potluck meal.
* No time to work out AND fix your hair afterwards … get a new hairstyle or cover your hair with some type of interesting headgear. Who knows … you might start a whole new product line!
You may actually accomplish more if you don’t try to accomplish several things at the same time.
Researchers, such as Dr. Earl Miller, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Picower professor of neuroscience, are finding that multi-tasking can be less efficient than doing one task at a time, especially if the tasks are more complex. “Switching from task to task, you think you’re actually paying attention to everything around you at the same time. But you’re actually not,” says Miller.
Consider scheduling tasks for separate times, for example:
* Alternate cooking days with workout days. Cook ahead on cooking days, freeing up time on your workout days.
* Plan a casserole or stew that can cook while you do yoga or take a walk.
If you do multi-task, combine a task that doesn’t demand as much input from your system as the other task. Here are two possible examples:
* Work out on a treadmill while watching TV.
* Listen to music while cooking. computer bug
Is your anti-virus software up-to-date and running?
If you’re susceptible to every bug that comes around, it’s time to check if you’re eating right, getting enough sleep, being physically active and reducing stress. The cost and time for “repairs” may be greater than the amount needed for prevention.
Is your battery dangerously low?
Recharge your battery before it loses power completely. Habit #7 in Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is “Sharpen the Saw.” Covey tells the story of a woodcutter whose productivity decreased after sawing for several days straight. Each day his saw became duller and duller.
Covey advocates a balanced program for self-renewal in these four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual.
Recharge by eating healthy, getting some physical activity, making meaningful connections with others, stimulating your mind and devoting time to your spiritual renewal through such means as time spent in nature, music, prayer or service.
Are you bogged down by unneeded files and programs?
Remove anything from your life that isn’t needed and slows your overall performance. For example:
* Do you still belong to a club or organization that no longer meets your needs or interests? The time you’re giving this activity is taking time from something else. Move on!
* Are you ironing (what’s an iron, some of you may say!) the whole shirt when only the collar will show under your sweater?
Do you need to hit “escape,” “undo” or “delete?”
Your computer offers several options if you change your mind about a decision. Offer yourself that same choice with your life.
You may have a reputation for always saying “yes” to a request for help, regardless of how busy you are. The next time, say something such as one of the following examples. It’s not necessary to elaborate and give an explanation.
* “I’m sorry but I’m not available that night” or “I have another commitment for that time.”
* “I can’t help you right now, but I could (in a half hour, next week, next month …).”
* “I can only help you for an hour, and then I have to leave.”Leave after an hour … even if it’s just to go to the bathroom if you’re at your office!
* “I can’t do that right now, but I could … (name a less time-consuming task).”
Time to reboot
Now, that you’ve finished trouble-shooting your personal system, consider making some changes. Then, reboot your body and enjoy the benefits!
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O.K. there you have it. Lots of solid tips on how to manage and reduce stress for the remainder of the holiday season. Good tips for the New Year also!
Till next time watch those calories and eat healthy food.
[Just remember to ease up a little and enjoy the holidays! Speaking of enjoying the holidays AND taking care of yourself, don't forget that when it comes to gift giving you matter too:
Holiday Season Help with Diet Struggles: Tips, Products, and More
Kitchen Tools and Gadgets for Weight Loss and Better Health
