Who doesn’t love lists? What if I served you delicious, bite-sized morsels of information on topics ranging from natural skin care to healthy eating and even fun ways to stay active? As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN), and Certified Raw Foods Chef, experimenting in the kitchen, sharing new recipes and easy wellness tips is what I’m all about!
How are you? Busy.
What have you been up to lately? I don’t even know, I’ve just been so busy.
Do you want to have dinner? Sure, how about..... a week from next Tuesday... no wait, two weeks, you know, I’m going to have to say no. I’m just so BUSY!
Ever had one of these conversations? I sure have, from both ends. While we are so fortunate to have so many opportunities and have so many loved ones who want to spend time with us sometimes it can all seem so, well, busy. Here are my top four ways to be less busy, without having to give up anything you love (except maybe your phone...but you’ll get that back, I promise).
1. Put Your Phone Down
If you read last month’s column you may remember me mentioning that my fellow Vegatopian, and one of my life balance gurus, Sami, puts her phone on airplane mode periodically throughout the day. Well, since we last talked she’s upped her game and now she doesn’t let herself charge her phone throughout the day. She says “I start at 100% in the am, and that’s all the juice I’ve got for the day (until I plug in at night for the alarm).” If being sans phone every evening sends chills of panic down your spine, don’t worry. You can take a cue from her and try a digital detox once a week or even once a month. Simply unplug from your phone, computer, iPad, etc. for one (whole) day. You’ll be surprised just how much more connected you feel to the people and things around you. Heck, it might even feel so good you’ll want to do it more often.
2. Find Relaxing Activities
The easiest, most relaxing activity I can think of that can take you away from that crazy, overwhelming, busy feeling is breathing. Any time you feel overwhelmed, over-run or over-worked take it back to your breath. Stop what you’re doing and take 10 deep breaths. Inhale and exhale; that’s all you need to think about for those 10 breaths. This gives you a break from what you are doing and allows you to clear your mind. If you want to take it one step further try taking a few deep breaths and adding a quick yoga sequence to your morning routine.
3. Eat Well
What you put in is what you get out so why not put the best in? I recommend incorporating more on-the-go smoothies into your day. Why smoothies? They are quick, easy and can be jam-packed with nutrition so you get the best bang for your buck from your time and your nutrition. Challenge yourself to make one a day. I know that may seem steep but trust me, it’s just as fast as grabbing your daily coffee and can help you feel energized and ready to take on your day. If you’re more energized you may find that you’re more efficient at everything you do and you might not feel so busy. Remember that friend that wanted to go for brunch? Why not invite them over for one of these eight green smoothie recipes?
4. Set Office Hours
Technology has offered us the opportunity to work from home which can be a blessing and a curse. The temptation to just reply to one more email is real. I get it. If you work from home or have access to your work email from home it’s important to set office hours; otherwise you may end up feeling like you’re always working which exacerbates the feeling of being busy because you’re always on. There’s always one more thing to do. If your co-workers are used to getting emails from you at 10pm at night then understandably, that’s what they will come to expect. If that no longer works for you I recommend having a look at your schedule and setting clear “office hours” with yourself, your co-workers and even your family and friends. Let everyone know that you will be available Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm (or whatever works for you) for work and outside of those hours for fun and then stick to that. That will set expectations for everyone and will help you clearly define a work-life balance so that you can stop feeling so busy and start living your life.
