Self-care should be every person’s utmost priority these days. However, many people allow work deadlines, social obligations, constant connectivity, and financial pressure to dominate their lives.
Millions of people around the world struggle to prioritize their health due to busy schedules; a survey, in fact, claims that 60% of US adults are too overworked to enjoy life in this fast-paced world.
But we shouldn’t trivialize our wellness. Not prioritizing one’s health may have bad consequences for one’s mental/physical health. This modern and fast-paced world shouldn’t stop us from attending to our health. You may wonder why some folks don’t prioritize self-care and are way too negligent about their lifestyle choices.
Well, a YouGov poll asked this question to 2,000+ individuals, most of whom admitted that they were either too exhausted or too demotivated to actually focus on their health.
This blog will attempt to motivate you by explaining the key role self-care plays in your life.
Health, The Foundation
Everything in your life is standing on a single foundation, i.e., your health. Even the easiest of life goals and simplest of ambitions become a pie in the sky when your health is in shambles. A healthy body and a healthy mind make you unstoppable. You can achieve your goals and be successful when you are well-rested. But fatigue makes it seemingly impossible to enjoy life.
Research shows some 80% of folks are too exhausted to cook meals for themselves. However, a balanced diet is key to maintaining good health. Alongside your diet, science-backed supplements by USANA can complement your nutrition when needed. They help you maintain a health-friendly body and deliver you a steady supply of essential helpful vitamins. Nonetheless, a nutrition-rich diet is always the basis of good health and a productive lifestyle.
Prevention Over Cure
But healthy eating isn’t enough. You also need to prevent lapses in your health. Feeling under the weather does make you tired and less productive. Preventing symptoms of bad health is much easier than treating it. You can do that by:
- Exercising regularly
- Getting routine medical checkups
- Managing your stress levels
- Getting the necessary vaccine shots
Never ignore small warning signs like headaches or fatigue. Get yourself checked before these seemingly mild signs turn into something serious (and expensive).
Life Becomes More Enjoyable
Healthy eating and preventive measures are only the beginning. Once you stop giving your health the silent treatment, you notice positive changes taking place in life. You start enjoying those little things. After all, it’s no secret that highly energized and physically fit people find even routine daily activities very pleasing – whether they’re brisk walking, doing chores, jamming with friends, watching a movie, or playing with pets.
Increasing One’s Productivity
We’re surrounded by a culture of overwork, which is actually eating into our productivity. It is making us burnt out and stressed! Our society celebrates the culture of spending long hours stuck in a small cubicle.
True productivity comes when you prioritize self-care. You perform more soulfully at work when you are not exhausted. Your mind works sharper, and your body obeys your commands.
In simple words, you can try these:
- Using a standing desk
- Taking a 30-minute break from sitting
- Using stairs instead of taking the elevator
- Talking on the phone while standing and moving around
- Limiting your screen time by stretching or jogging around the office
Attaining Mental Wellness
Poor mental health can be linked with many physical ailments. So, don’t lose sight of your mental clarity and agility! You can prioritize your brain’s health by engaging in therapy or meditation.
So, here’s what you can do to nourish your mind: Exercise every day for at least 30 minutes (it doesn’t have to be a high-intensity workout routine; taking a walk in the park would be enough).
When you exercise, endorphins are released throughout your body. These “happy hormones” uplift your mood and keep you motivated. What then happens is that it makes the rest of the day highly productive.
Keeping Stress Levels in Check
What happens when you can’t keep pace with your busy work life? Your stress can become unmanageable. Also, you may deal with blood pressure issues. But stress management isn’t that difficult. It is composed of a few simple habits that you need to embrace, such as:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Yoga, jogging, cycling, and other outdoor exercises
- Setting boundaries by saying “no” when you’re feeling overwhelmed
- Making friends outside of your work life for a sustainable work-life balance
- Taking time for your hobbies and leisure activities to calm your nerves
Stronger Social Connections
Busy schedules may prevent you from interacting with your friends and family meaningfully. However, don’t forget that these social connections help you when you’re about to hit rock bottom. Did you know that people who socialize can potentially live longer? That is why you shouldn’t let go of your social connections due to the pressure of a busy work schedule.
Adopting and Embracing Healthy Habits
Very few adults have perfectly healthy lifestyles. Try to imagine just how many of us have healthy eating habits. A study shows that just about 50% of Americans are healthy eaters. Preserving and prioritizing your health isn’t very difficult. Not even for aged individuals! The “secret” is to abandon unhealthy habits and replace them with health-friendly routines. Check out this brief table outlining some healthy vs. unhealth-hurting habits:
| Healthy Habits | Unhealthy Habits |
| Sitting for too long | Getting 30 minutes of daily workout |
| Snacking excessively | Eating a balanced, nutrition-rich diet |
| Eating lots of salt and sugar | Keeping yourself hydrated |
| Smoking, vaping, or drinking | Not smoking and drinking moderately. |
| Staying up late at night | Sleeping for at least 7 hours a day |
| Eating late at night or skipping breakfast | Eating food at a set time |
Table 01: Healthy vs. Unhealthy Habits
Stay Healthy Even When You’re Busy
Modern society demands constant action and uninterrupted attention from us. It’s pretty easy, actually, to overlook one’s health. However, doing so comes at a great cost! You get too tired to be productive at work and too energy-depleted to enjoy your life.
You must focus on your mental and physical well-being, stress management, nurturing healthy societal connections, and preventive care right now. That’s the secret to staying healthy.