By Lydia Wallie, Nutrition Director

When the schedule is crazy and overwhelming, the first thing to go is usually what is needed MOST: nutritious foods and physical activity. From a mathematical standpoint, it’s easy to rationalize doing the quickest option or forgoing a workout to work more on whatever the day’s demands are. But math doesn’t always work when it comes to health. Think about it, if instead of plowing through the work project by going in to work 3 hours earlier, you went on a 30-minute walk which is proven to reduce stress (1), and were able to focus, think more clearly, and be more creative (hello problem-solving!), imagine how much more efficiently you would complete that project. 

So the next time your logical brain tries to get you out of making the better choices of optimal nutrition, physical activity, and spending time outdoors, choose what’s going to make a greater impact in your health and wellbeing. 

Now take this a step further and make a plan. What’s your strategy for when you’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Create a daily habit and link it to one of your current habits. Some examples are: 1) Add a daily 20-minute walk to your routine before starting or going to work. 2) Every Sunday after lunch go to the grocery store to purchase ingredients for the week and then prep what’s needed. 3) Start drinking a stress-relieving tea while you complete your nighttime routine each day. 4) Read, pray, or write out what you’re grateful for before sleeping.

Need help creating or sticking to your plan? Schedule a No Snack Intro session!

Source List:
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6458297/