With so much going on in our personal lives and in Jamaica, and media daily bombarding us with every tiny bit of news it’s hard to focus on what’s important. It takes great mind and body discipline to stay on track, to navigate through the noise to what is relevant and essential to living a healthy and productive lifestyle.
There is no manual for how to stay focused and productive, but experience, evolution, and research offer helpful insights and wisdom to guide people to their best lives.
Life’s means is different for everyone, as is what is important. Whatever yours is, perhaps these few suggestions can help you live and lead one that is successful.
Mindfulness – Always focus your awareness on the present. Calmly accept your feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. Used as therapy, mindfulness can help regulate your emotions and ease stress.
Get plenty rest- There is not enough time in a day to complete all that needs to be done. When night comes we are still restless because of all that is unfinished. This often leads to long-term sleep abnormalities that force some to turn to medications. Summon the discipline to say no to extraneous work and set boundaries for your health.
Plan Properly – Nothing beats planning to have a productive day. Organize your life and what you have to do will flow seamlessly and help you reduce anxiety.
Moderate your work – Burning the midnight oil drains the body and brain. Medical experts say this increases cortisol (the stress hormone) in the brain and may lead to brain fog and high blood pressure. Working gives people purpose and value. But we must find creative ways to balance it with our other needs.
Keep a clean and organized workspace- Even with all the tools you need to get the job done, studies show a clean and clutter-free workspace helps you stay organized, increases productivity, reduces frustration, and encourages better health.
Exercise - Working out is just as important as your work. We all agree our health is our wealth but few of us take it seriously. The Mayo Clinic suggests 11 hours per week of moderate exercise can improve cognitive function, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. With a bit of effort and consistency we can all do this.
Healthy Dieting- Exercise and a decent diet help your body to function optimally. If your diet is your bank account, as the saying goes, investing in it should be a high priority. What you put into your body is more important than what you put on it. Fresh food is easy to find in Jamaica, so a healthy diet is within reach. While our bodies are different, a balanced diet benefits all body types. It’s a useful way to feel happy in body and mind. Do it for your best life.