Developing a Wellness Work Style

Feb. 27, 2007
IN THIS ISSUE:

• Developing a Wellness Work Style
• Healthy Habits Wellness Action Group
• Free Wellness Pack
• Cheryl’s Blog

If you want to submit your wellness question, you can send it to me here. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to answer every question, but it’ll be fun trying!  You can also make a comment in the comment section at the very bottom.

Q. Dear Cheryl,

I’m a Mom, wife, business owner and human - in that order. Lately is seems like my life is on overdrive and there’s little to no time for me. When I get up, I get my kids off to school and then I start a full day of work which ends with me helping the kids get their homework finished, connecting with my hubby and then maybe, MAYBE some quiet time to read a couple of chapters in an interesting book.  I try to make good health choices throughout the day as I wear my different “hats” but it’s not easy.  Got any handy tips for an active woman?

On-the-go in Chicago

A.  In addition to responding to your request for some quick health tips, I’m going to address what I sense is your underlying question, “How do I get more time so I can take better care of myself and my family?”

First, let’s address the time issue. It seems that everybody is busy–and there’s just not enough time. Thankfully, there are ways to feel like you have more time. You can free up time by reducing the “fritter factor.” You can get more time by saying “no” more often. And you can get more time by being more “on purpose” about how you spend your time.

The first step in shifting how you use time is to get clear about your personal and business priorities. This sounds so easy.

Have you noticed that when you go through your day without a plan–especially if you do this day after day–you can end up feeling like you work all the time and don’t get much done? This doesn’t feel very good.

I love to just jump in and just start working. It’s my natural work style. But with that work style I’ve gotten mixed results–in other words, I’ve not been consistently productive and happy about how my day went. So I’ve searched for better ways.

I learned a powerful lesson from a business colleague. He is one of those people who always seems organized. And he is. I asked him how he does it. He starts every day by deciding what his three big rocks are that day–the three biggest things he has got to get done (or wants to get done). Then he schedules his day around getting those three things done. In short, he designs his day for productivity. He admits that he has a lot of stress, though, so something is missing from his work style.

The other part of your question addresses the missing element-–making healthy choices throughout the day. If at the end of the day, there’s not much time left for you, it’s time to build self-care into your day–a bit here and a bit there.  It adds up.

Since the work day takes up a large chunk of the day, it’s helpful to design your work day around what’s important to you–-productivity and wellness.

Here’s a simple way to design your work style around a wellness lifestyle. Get centered, take a few deep breaths and decide what’s important to do that day (determine your big rocks), and write down your plan. If it’s just in your head, you might lose your focus.  Next, schedule a few mini wellness breaks throughout the day to reenergize yourself–have a healthy snack, stretch, or just gaze out the window at nature. I take a walk at lunch time to download stress and refocus on my priorities. Find a combination of activities that works well for you.

Enjoy the peace and solitude, reflection and relaxation generated by your mini wellness break. Then after you’re re-energized, get back to work. If you’re easily distracted, determine a specific break time, say 15 minutes. Set a timer if that helps.

On days that you don’t take wellness breaks throughout the day, have you noticed how your energy runs out … and maybe even your good mood? If you’re disorganized, unfocused, and running on empty (which happens to all of us at times), the treadmill seems to speed up so you feel even further behind.

When you plan your day and take time for wellness breaks, you get a sense that you own your schedule. You’re in charge. You have time. Your schedule doesn’t own you.

Here’s one final tip. Schedule 30 minutes once a week for your wellness strategy. Decide what you and your family will eat for the week including healthy snacks, fun things you will do with your family, and ways you’ll be physically active. Get a handle on your family calendar. If it’s too full, drop some of the activities. I know it’s hard to say no because we want to do it all. But in order to maintain a good mood and healthy lifestyle, we have to choose.

When you design your day around what’s important to you–your goals, your family (or pets!), and your health–there’s a sense of confidence that you’re managing your life well. That feels good! I call it the wellness work style.

In the comment box at the very bottom, tell us how you design your ideal work day.  Do you build wellness into your day?  Do you have some challenges?  Let us know.

I hope this helps.

If you want help developing a wellness work style, my new 30-day program may be for you!

Healthy Habits – 30 Day Wellness Action Group

Is there a health habit you have wanted to put in place for a long time but just haven’t?

It takes more than knowing what to do….it takes having a strategy, a system, and support. You can get all three by joining the Healthy Habits Wellness Action Group – starting in April.   Look for an email with all the details.  If you’re eager to get “on the list” so you’re sure to get invited, contact me and I’ll be glad to get you the information.  Want a sneak peek at the free workbook you’ll get when you join this program?  About the workbook

Get the Healthy, Happy Living Newsletter & Wellness Pack

what is the wellness pack? 

Recent posts in the blog:

• Eat nuts!
• Are you a worrier?
• First Wheelchair BackFlip (video)

ShareThis

 Print this page

 Forward to a Friend