(This is especially important for you stay-at-home parents and care-givers.) 3. Take real breaks.
Lots of people eat their lunch at their desks while they keep working. Others take work home or on vacation. It is important to establish "work-free" times and places so your body and brain can get a real break. This is a little known secret that hugely reduces your stress and makes you 2-3 times more productive than if you just keep your "nose to the grindstone". By not having some of your brain always at work you free up your creativity and have better focus when you actually do choose to work. Your immune system will also thank you because it gets a chance to let down and regenerate. (Again, especially important for business owners, stay-athome parents and care-givers, those working from home, and those of you on-call.) This can be as simple as stopping what you are doing a few times a day, closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths - or turning off your work phone when you are not on the clock. It is also good to silence all the social media alerts and set “office hours'' for when you’ll be on social media or respond to others (work related or personal). You’re actually in charge of your own time. Remembering this helps you reduce your stress. 4. Make sure your equipment is well maintained.
If your tools, equipment, or vehicles aren’t working well then it’s hard to do the job. At work, but more importantly, at the job of your life you and your physical well-being are your equipment. Most of us don’t really 9
get that your own “personal maintenance” is even more important than looking after your stuff. This is your reminder. There are four basic pillars that support good physical health: • Sleep. About 8 hrs and 15 mins along with a consistent sleep-wake schedule is what works best. If you’re not getting quality sleep all the other stuff you do won’t be as effective. • Eat right and often. Your body needs a consistent supply of good fuel (this makes your brain happy and efficient too). You don’t put kerosene in a Porsche. So think about giving your body highperformance fuel as well. Also don’t go too long between eating. When your body can trust that the fuel supply is consistent and available it relaxes and works better. Hydration (drinking enough water) is also important. This is like making sure your equipment is well lubricated and doesn’t grind or wear out. • Exercise. This one is especially important during COVID as so many of us are working from home and are less active. Moving throughout the day keeps the blood flowing to your body and oxygen
