How I Stay Healthy While Balancing Work and Home?

Being a working woman means that I have less “me” time, but that doesn’t give me an excuse to be unfit. In fact, I see loads of opportunities to stay healthy and fit even with my busy schedule. There are just a few things which I have incorporated into my lifestyle that spell the difference between healthy fitness and certain illness.

Eat Healthy

Firstly, as I start my day I make sure I have enough energy to get me through not just the morning but throughout the day. I have a nutritious breakfast consisting simply of grains (oats, cereal), protein (low-fat milk, egg) and fruit.

Preparing the same for my family ensures that they, too, are given proper nourishment. For the rest of the day, I consume a balanced diet as best I can. Some of the basics that I follow on a daily basis are:

1. No soda, powdered juices/tea and alcohol, though I do take an occasional half glass of wine.
2. Less simple carbohydrates like white rice, white bread, pasta, and more fruits and vegetables.
3. Eat all three meals on time, with healthy light snacks 3 hours after lunch and after dinner.
4. Drink at least eight glasses of water.
5. Take a Multi-Vitamin of good quality.

Exercise on the Go

Work and family life have made me realize that being physically active need not mean going to the gym. For several years now, I have sought every opportunity to walk – even short distances. Walking to where I catch my daily commute provides some level of activity and allows me to take in some all-important sunlight. Sun protection applied, of course!

When I take my car, I maneuver into a parking space in the farther corners. Not only is it more likely to find parking space, but the walk to the building entrance provides some calorie-burning opportunity. Other opportunities include going up at least two floors via the stairway instead of the elevator, and taking lunchtime strolls. I have been fortunate enough to work in an office that takes me through a park to get to a row of restaurants where I take my lunch.

On weekends, I take my kids for a picnic at the park or walk the few blocks to church. A word of advice, though. I have made it a habit of toting comfortable walking shoes so that I can take these walks without damaging my feet, which could in turn affect the rest of my body.

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

I get an average of eight hours of sleep nightly (at least 7, not more than 9). Adequate rest helps keep me alert and prepared to face the day ahead.

Bust the Stress

Laugh more! Get a grip on anger. I have found that in life, we are given much reason to be joyful, and just as much reason for anger and frustration. The sense of fulfillment that family life gives as well as the achievements earned at work has been a source of much joy and happiness. Coming home at the end of a hectic workday and having a conversation with my husband and children over dinner is a source of laughter and true joy.

At work, I make it a point to look at the brighter side of things rather than adapting a doomsday attitude. Keep in mind that everything that goes wrong has a solution. Laughter makes us feel good by causing the body to release endorphins that relieve pain and help fight stress. Unexpressed anger on the other hand, results in imbalanced health. Frustrations may come in more often and with greater intensity when you are at work.

Vent your feelings, by all means, but express them appropriately. Whenever I get negative feelings, the first thing I would do is to identify what they are and where they are coming from. Often, we just express our negative feelings as anger, but in reality, it can be frustration, disappointment or even sorrow.

A seminar on parent-child communication that I attended many years ago has helped me a great deal not only in my relationships within and outside of the family, but in handling my emotions as well. Laughter... the best medicine? True. It is also true that negative feelings handled inappropriately, can be a killer.

Lastly, some quiet time helps in getting things in perspective. I indulge in meditation and prayer for 15 minutes each day upon waking. That piece of time gives me lasting peace that works wonders for my general well-being.
Keeping healthy, in body and mind, is what makes balancing work and home easy!

Author Bio: Nancy is a full time blogger and a part time social activist who also writes for Casa Health. She, among her busy life, finds time to keep herself fit by following few very simple tips and through this post she wants to encourage other women too. She is a passionate supporter of green living and non-alcoholism.