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No career-committed mother wants to give up her precious
time to illness. But the truth is if you don’t make time
for your health, you will have to make time for illness.
And, illness, we all know throws a curve ball at our
balance.
Your nose is running. Your body aches. You know you got
that cold from your seven-year-old. The work project
you’ve been struggling with is due Friday, and you keep
telling yourself, “I just don’t have time to be sick.”
So how do you fit in exercise, relaxation and all those
fresh carrots and green vegetables when time is so
limited in your life already?
Start by reclaiming ownership of your health. Good
health is about integrating all aspects of your
life—body, mind and spirit. It’s more than adding three
hours a week at the gym to your schedule. It’s about
obtaining a general sense of well-being. Take a step
back and look at your health from a more holistic
perspective—exercise is just one part of the equation.
Examine how you are treating your body. Are you
respecting it in terms of nutrition, movement and rest?
Are you tuned in and paying attention to how you feel?
See Your Doctor(s) Regularly
If you haven’t seen your general practitioner lately,
make an appointment for a full physical exam. That
includes checking your cholesterol and blood pressure
levels and, if you’ve been feeling particularly stressed
or tired, having your thyroid and adrenal gland checked
as well. This will give you a base measurement from
which you can go forward.
While you’re looking after yourself, schedule an
appointment or medical screening with your dentist and
optometrist as well. You’d do it for your car, so why
not your body? In particular, if you’re experiencing any
unusual symptoms, don’t ignore them. Lumps, bumps, knots
and fatigue are your body’s way of saying that something
requires your attention. Tell the appropriate
health-care provider about them.
Become a Strategic Eater
The fuel you put into your body can make all the
difference to your health and energy levels. Practicing
good nutrition means learning about food. It does not
mean dieting. Understanding which foods give you energy
and which rob you of your vitality is essential to
keeping you at your best. Different metabolisms call for
different combinations of fat, protein and
carbohydrates, and through being aware of what you’re
eating and how you’re feeling you will know what foods
combine to bring you maximum energy.
While becoming clear which foods work best for you,
start thinking about the size and frequency of your
meals. Eating small amounts five or six times a day has
proven to be better for us than three large meals. It is
easier on the digestive system and provides a more
constant, even flow of energy to the body, avoiding the
hunger peaks and valleys. You’ll be less tempted to grab
that chocolate bar or bag of potato chips to get you
through the afternoon, and you’ll arrive home with
better energy to face the evening.
About the Author
Lisa Martin is the founder of Briefcase Moms™, a company
that is dedicated to helping time-starved working
mothers who want to manage the competing priorities of
motherhood without guilt and stress. As a mother and
professional personal coach with more than 18 years of
corporate and entrepreneurial experience, she
understands the stresses facing career-committed
professionals. Struggling to balance work and family?
Sign up for Briefcase Moms™ complimentary publications
Taking Care of Mom™ and Success & Balance. Copyright
2003 Lisa Martin
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