Megan Wills

Do you ever get to the end of the day and just getting ready to fall into bed feels like a chore?  And by the time the work week is over, the only thing that sounds appealing on a Friday night is a Friends marathon, which gets interrupted by the sound of your own snoring at 9pm.  Yikes.  Too close to home?

Work can be overwhelming.  And once you add in the daily woes of all other aspects of life, it’s easy to see why we’re an utterly exhausted society.  But I can say with confidence that regardless of what your job entails, what's going on in your personal life, or how many alarms you may sleep through, there are 5 essential habits that will significantly lead to more energy, more happiness and overall, a better, healthier you.

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1) Drink Water

The other day, I had a meeting at 4:30pm and the friend I was meeting had a large coffee and an equally large cup of water that she was gulping down.  When I sat down she said, 'Wow I think that’s the only water I've had to drink all day.'  I get it.  We’re a society (and a city) that would probably purchase coffee IV’s if they were available.  People joke about it, but I think it’s viable business idea.  But up to 60% of the adult body is composed of water.  The brain and heart are composed of 73% water and even skin contains 64% water.  I realize mentioning a decrease in coffee consumption might lead to a revolt, so I will only suggest drinking twice the amount of water as coffee. 

2) Run or Walk

Some people think running goes against their body’s natural ability of motion.  I can assure you, after barely being able to run half a mile to steadily building up to 3, that this is a false belief.  If you still think running is not for you, go for a quick morning or evening walk.  Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that help you feel happier and more relaxed.  Even just 20 minutes of physical exercise can leave you feeling more energized with muscles more toned and overall better mentally and physically.

3) Take a Phone Break

Last week, I went upstate with my family to a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains.  The week prior, it seemed like every minute I was on my phone for something.  In fact, I feel like my neck started to ache from permanently staring down at my cell phone.  While up at the lake, I took a phone break.  Except for a few texts to congratulate my best friend on a new job opportunity, I neglected the phone.  And you know what?  I felt more peaceful.  I was more focused.  I didn’t have to stop what I was doing because the technological extension of myself was dinging and beeping at me.  I decided to carry this phone break back into my regular life – obviously as a less intense version.  I recommend turning off your phone for just one hour.  Choose whatever hour you’d like and escape.  Be where you are.  If that’s by yourself, BE by yourself.  Sometimes I think creativity, brilliant thoughts, and motivation to do things gets blockaded by that little plastic and metal thing we need so much.  Take a break from it.

4) Read

Pick up a new book or explore an old one for just 20 minutes a day.  Spend time reading columns in a magazine.  Find out the biggest news items of the day.  Just read something outside of work.  Why?  Not only is it relaxing, but people who read are infinitely more interesting than those who don’t.  They are the conversation starters.  Reading engages our minds and ultimately helps us engage with others.

5) Meditate

Don’t skip this add-in because it doesn’t seem productive!  Meditation, or sitting quietly for 20 minutes with a focus on deep breathing and peaceful thoughts significantly reduces your stress level.  Meditation is imply the practice of mindfulness.  According to an article on NBCNews, meditation 'can train the mind to become more aware and to down-regulate negative emotions and increase the frequency of certain positive emotions.'  Sounds like a train we all should be on!

With all five of these five essential habits as part of your daily life - the key is consistency.  Try incorporating just one habit each week.  Then add the next habit the week after. I guarantee, these wellness habits will leave you happier, healthier, and overall a better you.

 

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