As a busy woman, you know how hard it can be to make time for your health. From having the time to cook healthy meals at home to taking an hour out of your day to go to the gym, it’s nearly impossible to make healthy choices. But you also know that it’s important. Whether you’re a businesswoman with a full schedule or you’re traveling from city to city as a concert pianist, you’ve decided health is going to be your priority now. You know that it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a challenge worth taking. Which is why you’ve decided to look for strategies that will allow you to be healthy while keeping up your busy lifestyle.
So if you’re ready to get healthy–whether it’s to get your body swimsuit ready for the summer, or because there’s nothing you love more than a good workout at the pool–follow these tips, and you’ll be healthy in no time.
1 Be financially healthy
Money isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when we think about health. But considering that in 2017, the average American household had a balance of $15,654 in credit card debt, money is a huge stressor. When you’re stressed out, you’re less likely to sleep well and eat healthy foods, and you might even fall into depression. So if you’ve got some money problems, it’s likely that this added to your busy lifestyle is affecting your health.
According to personal finance site LoveMoney, “The link between mental illness and money problems is becoming more and more apparent. It’s no coincidence that one in four people with a mental health problem is also in debt, because they form their own vicious circle: the grinding effect of living in poverty can lead to depression, while the medical effects of depression can make financial problems inevitable.” So whether you’re getting paid at work with echecks or via Paypal, it’s time to start budgeting.
That can seem overwhelming at first. But by analyzing your monthly spending and understanding where you can save a little, your financial health will soon start to improve. If it’s your first time putting together a budget, check out these tips from Forbes.com to get started.
2 Plan your meals and exercise
We know that you’re busy, which means that there’s no way you can be healthy without a plan. You know how every night you sit down and write up a list of what you have to do the next day? And you can tick off each item as you do it, managing your busy schedule in a way that works for you? Well, if you want to be healthy, then you need to do the same when it comes to meals and exercise.
One great way to get organized is by using technology. For example, when it comes to eating better, you can use the app MyFitnessPal. According to pocket-lint.com, “MyFitnessPal is a free calorie counting app that features a food database of over 5 million foods. The app creates a custom plan for you, providing you with a calorie goal to work towards, which appears on the top of the diary page where you add your food, exercise, and water intake. As you add, you’ll see the food calories being deducted and the exercise calories added, so it’s easy to keep track.”
When it comes to exercise, apps can help you, too. For example, there’s ClassPass, which gives you access to gyms throughout your city. Even though it’s a bit pricier than an average gym membership, it means you can exercise anywhere. So if you’re at a meeting downtown but live uptown, that doesn’t matter; you can still hit the gym and shower off, feeling fabulous before walking in front of potential clients. You can also use an app that will save you time, or provide you with a coach, which means less time at the gym. To learn more about these apps, check out this list of the best fitness and exercise apps of 2018.
3 Give yourself time to relax
Finally, when it comes to being healthy, it’s important to relax. We know you’re busy, which means you don’t have much time to do that. But it can make a real difference. Sleep, for example, changes everything, especially if you’re a busy entrepreneur.
According to the Harvard Business Review, “In a separate study of 81 organizations and 189,000 people around the world, we found that four types of leadership behavior are most commonly associated with high-quality executive teams: operating with a strong orientation to results, solving problems effectively, seeking out different perspectives, and supporting others. What’s striking in all four cases is the proven link between sleep and effective leadership.”
In addition to sleeping your recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you’ll want to schedule time in your calendar to relax in other ways. Whether it’s doing some yoga at home or spending half an hour in the bathtub, this is essential to both your mental and physical health. To learn more about how to make this happen, read this list from Bustle on how to fit relaxation into your busy schedule.
By using these strategies, you’ll be healthier than ever. What strategies do you use to stay healthy despite your busy schedule?
