about us > news & announcements

Fall Into a More Balanced Routine

— Courtesy of Nurtur Health

The relaxed pace of summer is over. The arrival of fall means new school schedules, sports games and practices, club meetings, appointments, activities, etc. If just looking at your to-do list has you tuckered out, take a breath. Along with the change of season, you might need to change your schedule a bit to add more balance. Balance is the key to making your days happier and healthier.

If you are dealing with a chronic condition, time management is very important. You need to put your health at the top of that to-do list. But how, you may be wondering, can you do it all?

Learn to prioritize. We like to think we can do it all. But, guess what? We need to be realistic about how much we can fit into our daily schedule. Think about all the items on your to-do list. What activities can you cross off? Sometimes it is necessary to say 'no' to requests from others. That's OK. If you take on too much, your health will suffer and you won't be able to help anyone. There are some things that should never get crossed off of your list.

These include:

  • Getting regular exercise. Not only will this help to keep you fit, it will help to lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase your endorphins (feel good substance).
  • Keeping up with your medication schedule or health routine. Be sure to schedule regular appointments with your doctor.
  • Making time to prepare nutritious meals and snacks.
  • Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Multi-tasking can be a good thing. Be creative in finding ways to do two things at once. For example, if you are attending your son's soccer game, bring along some bills to pay when he's sitting on the bench. Make a double batch of a favorite recipe and freeze half to give yourself time off from cooking during another week.

Schedule some down time. No matter how tempting it is to fill every minute of your day, make a point to schedule some down time. Use this 'me time' to do something relaxing such as a hobby, reading or meditation. Don't think of this as selfish. You need to find a balance for the stress of your daily routine. Less stress means better health.