To Your Health!

blackberries-in-bowl-145-x-126How have you been feeling lately? When was the last time you had a physical? If you are now scratching your head trying to remember, it’s been too long!

Aside from the obvious reasons for managing your health, did you know that being healthy can make you a better leader? Think about it. You probably put in long hours. You may not eat healthy meals all the time. Perhaps you travel a lot and don’t get proper rest. You may not exercise regularly. You might be under a lot of stress.

  • How do those conditions impact your mental and physical health?
  • How do they impact your relationships and productivity at work?
  • What about the impact to your leadership?

Medicine.net has a great article about steps we can take to better manage stress. Author Carol Sorgen minds us:

Simplifying your life doesn’t mean you have to ditch the cell phone, pager, e-mail, instant messaging, voice mail, call forwarding, and on and on. But it does mean establishing clear boundaries.

Another article lists the following tips for making good choices when traveling:

  • If you’re flying to your destination, ask for a low-fat or vegetarian meal on the plane.
  • If you’re driving, skip fast food drive-throughs. Instead, pack a cooler with healthy sandwiches, fruit and drinks.
  • Bring along fresh, crunchy vegetables, crackers, granola and yogurt.
  • If you do stop for a bite, make healthy choices. Order your sandwich without high-fat sauces or dressing, and skip the fries.
  • Once you’re at the hotel, steer clear of the mini bar.
  • If your hotel offers breakfast, turn down the danishes and doughnuts. Instead, look for cereal, fresh fruit, and other low-fat options.
  • If you do eat too much or splurge on a high-calorie meal, just make up for it at the next one.

Why is this so important?

You want to be healthy. Your family and friends want you to be healthy. Your co-workers, employees and/or followers want you to be healthy. They are all counting on you to be your best.

However, it is not just stress management and eating right. You must get moving. Sitting at your desk, in your car or at the airport for hours at a time can have a negative effect on your disposition and sap your energy. This article provides you tips for exercising while on the road. Not being near your gym is not an acceptable excuse for not exercising!

What tips can you share to help us stay healthy in spite of long hours, travel, and job stress? What has worked for you?

Posted in

L2L Contributing Author

Categories

Subscribe!