Who can't use some healthy tips in any Industry? These are a few tips I picked up from our very own Lauren Bernstein here at ActiveRain that I hope to put into practice myself. If I can do it, so can you, and so can anybody. Live long and prosper, but to do that, there are some secrets and tips.... and here's just a few.
Watch for more great tips and advice coming from Lauren, she's a great resource and a health... I mean wealth of information in this regard. Thanks Lauren, now I'm off to get some healthy lunch and snacks! :-)
Via Lauren Bernstein (ActiveRain):
For five years I worked in outside sales and spent half the month on the road. A typical month included 1,500 miles behind the wheel and 5,000 miles in the air. Even though I was excelling in my field, I was constantly tired, sometimes moody and always craving sugar (I became wildly addicted to homemade yogurt covered pretzels and "energy" bars). I fell out of balance and I knew that something had to change.It is easy to neglect our own health and well being with life's many distractions: work, family, friends, balancing schedules and numerous commitments. Staying healthy can be challenging. Through real experience, I learned that small steps really do make a difference. I committed to one of the suggestions below and within a day or two noticed a change: I felt a bit more energized and "balanced." To strive for improved health and balance, I encourage small life changes using the guidelines below.Top 12 quick health tips to find and maintain balance for busy on-the-go real estate professionals:
- focus on yourself - take time for yourself: take a bath, walk your dog, read a book, take a yoga class, listen to music, take a drive, go for a run, sing in the shower, get a massage, walk through the park. Take the thing that you enjoy and indulge! You deserve it!
- exercise - it gets our blood flowing and re-energizes us. Even if you only have five minutes per day, use it! Take a brisk walk around the block, run up and down the stairs, do sit ups, push ups or jumping jacks, dance, jump rope...just move!
- drink water - hydration is so important for our cells and our skin and is critical for proper body and brain functioning. We need to stay hydrated - if you need to take baby steps, try increasing your water intake slowly. Drink one glass before each meal. You'll feel amazing in no time!
- eat good food - we all know that whole foods are best for us. Try to avoid processed foods (anything packaged), sodas, refined sugar and pastries. Avoid hydrogenated oils and trans fats like the plague.
- sleep - if you're short on time and the choices are sleeping, eating or exercising, sleep! Sleep helps restore your cells and even boosts your metabolism. Sleep helps increase your focus and response time and can help prevent aging. It also lowers the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and other medical conditions. Get your zzzs!
- breathe - deep breathing is a great way to regulate your stress levels and reset your body and mind connection. One of my favorite techniques is Dr. Andrew Weil's 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise. I use this often - on planes (taking off isn't my favorite) or when I'm feeling overwhelmed. It works!
- manage your time - find tools that help you save time and be more efficient: real estate technology tools like CRMs, electronic document management and virtual assistants. Delegate your tasks and save time!
- take naps - studies show that an afternoon power nap of 10-20 minutes can help boost energy, mood and mental performance and is great for stress management. Find a bed or couch and embrace your own personal siesta.
- get a massage - massage is great for blood flow and circulation, promoting energy movement, and reseting your alignment. There are fancy spas which can be pricey or you can choose a more affordable option like Massage Envy or a local massage school. Try to schedule one massage per month. It is well worth it!
- smile - smiling really is the best medicine. The next time you aren't feeling great, smile. It is hard to feel bad when you are smiling. Smiles are a great way to connect with others and brighten a stranger's day.
- BYOF - Bring your own food - when traveling, plan ahead and bring your own food. If you're in the car all day, pack a lunch and healthy snacks like raw nuts, carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, apples, bananas, etc. When hunger strikes, you'll be prepared with healthy options.
- cook - a home cooked meal tastes better and is healthier for your body and soul! The time, pride and care you put into cooking comes out in the food. Cook with others or for others and make it a special event.
I challenge you to choose one tip and try it today. Try it on your own or better yet, find a buddy and do it together. Stick to it, share it, even blog about it. Then add one more tip when you're ready. To be healthy and stay healthy we must exert a little effort, but it is well worth it. The benefits are priceless.Images courtesy of SuperFantastic and Brunna Peretti Loureiro
This tips are beneficial in order for the Realtor to succeed they must take care of themselves first.
I agree. I would like to add something. Like most, I work long hours and have a wife and 3 boys. I have been looking for something that doesn't take too much time. Here it is: The Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!
My wife is doing this and I laughed. I thought, there is no way you can get your butt kicked in 20 minutes; no way. I tried it and couldn't even finish it! I've been doing it now for 5 days and already feel stronger!
If you are in the real estate industry, working long hours with other commitments, try the 30 Day Shred! It takes 20 minutes...that's it...in and out ready to do the days business...
Enjoy!
Rich
I have to take these healthy living tips slowly, if I take up too many of these tips, my system will go into shock. All this healthy living could kill me....
Thanks Brad we all need to be reminded to take care of ourselves, especially as hard as the world pushes us these days
I could use a good nap right about now, unfortunately too much caffeine and too much work will not permit....I guess I should take a good hard look at that.....
Thanks! I'm a total failure in most of these areas (sleep, nutrition, exercise, relaxing, water)--urgh. Not that we don't know... I might print this out and tape it to my desk.
I am getting ready to head to the gym after reading a few more blogs. It seems to get harder and harder to fit a workout in anymore.
Brad, I like the tip on breathing. Breathing seems to help me get through the day.
The alternative does not appeal to me.
I am trying BYOF but cannot figure how to keep the Queso and Chips from spilling as I drive and as you already know I am smiling most of the time anyway ;-)
Good natural tips everyone should be living. Diet & exercise are so vital in how we feel. We are naturally made... so our body's require natural nutrition, not processed foods!! Great post!!
Hi Brad...thanks for re-blogging Lauren's post and getting in balance with life.
Great tips and certianly worthy of a reblog... I'll go over to the original post now. It is so important to take care of one's self.
Brad,
Sounds like Lauren has developed a list of 12 great habits. I'm a big fan of BYOF. I just can't eat out that much. (Ok, Ok, and I drive a lot don't like stopping unless it's necessary. : )
Steve
Pat - You are absolutely right!
Rich - I love Jillian's 30 Day Shred! I have 3 of her DVDs. "Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism" is another one of my favorites. 30 Day is great because the segments are short which is perfect when time is limited. Popping in a DVD in the morning is a great way to start the day. If you'd like to share this comment on my original post, I bet the community would love to hear from you.
Gerry - The beauty of it is you can try one tip at a time! Baby steps.
Lottie - Sleep is a tough one, but so well worth it! Getting into a regular sleep routine and avoiding caffeine can definitely help.
Stephanie - Have you tried switching to "half-caf?"
Catarina - Pick one tip and try it for a week. Then when you're ready you can add another. I'd love to hear about your progress.
Damon - I agree, it is so easy to get caught up in work and life and suddenly the day is gone! Scheduling an "appointment" for exercise will help you commit to it. Write it in your calendar and check it off each day when completed. Exercising in the morning is always a good way to start the day!
Ted - I love the breathing tip! I use it all the time and it really does work.
Russell - BYOF! The Queso and Chips are a start. :)
Sabrina - Thank you! I'm a huge fan of real whole foods. Isn't it amazing how different you feel eating whole foods vs. processed foods? There are so many incredible benefits to whole foods. The list goes on and on. Besides more energy, glowing skin, healing properties and so much more, we get more nutrients, eat less and feel full faster.
Fred - Nice to see you again!
Joan - Thank you!
Steve - I love BYOF - in the car, on the plane. It is a great way to be prepared and avoid processed foods.
Very cool Lauren - I'm glad to see you came over and hijacked my ReBlog! :-)
I was out exercising and eating right, while doing the 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise! LOL~
Great tips!
And here I thought that a power nap was a sign of old age.
Great Tips......... Balance !!!!!!
Staying focused and regimented.............. What a challenge !!!
Thanks for the great tips...once someone gets on a cycle of the wrong foods, it's hard to balance...good eating is essential, especially in this business.
Brad, love these tips, especially all of them! Hydration is so important and so few people drink enough water. It lowers the risk of cancer, senility, and a host of other health problems. Also love breathing - yoga is my favorite exercise and the breating is key. Going over to Lauren's blog to comment also :) See you in a few weeks!!!
Brad - these are great tips and great advice! I have to admit, I refuse to work BOTH days on the weekend, reserving one day for Ron - we usually go fishing! That keeps me somewhat sane!
Hi Barbara Jo - I can relate. I spend 12-16 hour days on AR sometimes so my weekends are for my 3 boys and my wife. I almost lost them working sooooo many hours so I learned that "Balance" is the key to success and happiness. The other healthy stuff is finding time to eat right and exercise both the mind and body. I'm finally figuring this all out after ?!?!? years!
Now since it's Saturday, I gotta run, taking my kids to MarineWorld today!! :-))
Brad - Thanks for the re-blog. I appreciate it! I'm happy to hear you were able to "balance" all three things!
Brad, I certainly agree with all the tips. For me personally, I open the day with thanksgiving to God, do the above tips as possible, take my brain off the fryer by 7 or 8pm each evening so as to avoid a sleepless night ahead...that's balance for me!
Great points to remind oneself, I'm pretty consistent getting 10 out of the 12 but really need to work on the other two.... Thanks for the pep talk ~ Dave