How to prevent a burnout with a busy schedule

Look after your physical health and emotional well-being! 

People who have busy schedules (whether you're a business owner, a parent, or someone who works in a high-intensity job) are prone to burnouts. Rushing about and having endless to-do-lists can often end in exhaustion, with little time to take care of your physical, mental and emotional health. It's common for 'busy' people to start gaining pounds from lack of exercise and eating unhealthy 'convenient' foods. They may also find themselves arguing with their partner more frequently as the backlog of stress takes over their emotional well-being. Yep, you're tired, exhausted and SO close to having a mental breakdown! 

Perhaps it's time to start taking care of yourself? In the midst of balancing careers, studies, kids, husbands, friends, pets, finances and housework, it's easy to leave out the most important thing: self-care! Simple acts of self-care can make a huge difference - you don't need to go on a 2 week yoga retreat to regain your stability! 

Here are some health tips we've carefully compiled to help those who struggle with their time management and self-care amidst a busy schedule.

Coffee is great but don't forget about H2O

People with busy schedules tend to consume caffeine regularly. Yes, caffeine provides the body with energy boosts, however it's not the most sustainable way to keep your engine running. Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical that makes you feel tired. At the same time, it triggers the release of adrenaline, a hormone associated with increased energy. So, it only makes sense that consuming too much caffeine can result in adrenal fatigue and even anxiety! Additionally, caffeine is a diuretic and can dehydrate your body. 

Tip: Ensure you're drinking more water than coffee! Avoid an overly-stimulated, dehydrated body by limiting your caffeine intake to 2 - 3 cups of coffee per day. You should also think about investing in an effective supplement to boost your performance and endurance. This high potency multivitamin and mineral supplement contains a wide spectrum of daily vitamin and mineral nutritional needs, assisting with energy levels and physical endurance! It's loved by many because it's dairy-free, wheat-free, preservative-free and vegan-friendly!

Give back to your body

Your body really is an amazing creation and puts up with a lot! An important part of maintaining a balanced lifestyle is to remember that everything is about give and take. So while you're pushing your body and mind's limits in an attempt to manage your busy lifestyle, you need to nourish your body in order to get the most out of it and avoid going into depletion mode. 

Superfoods are high in nutrients and health-giving properties that your body will be grateful for. Invest in Superfoods such as chia seeds, spirulina, maca powder, cacao powder and hemp seed protein. Incorporating these powerhouse foods into your diet will increase stamina, sharpen the mind and give your body the tools to take it next level.

Exercise is a fundamental part of a healthy lifestyle. While it's difficult to incorporate an exercise routine into your busy schedule, a simple 20 minutes a day can do wonders for your emotional state of being and keeping the blood flowing!

Meditation before bed allows you to relax after a hard day's work and prepare your brain for some deep, much needed sleep. Being on electronics before bed works against quality shuteye due to the electromagnetic waves and light that delays the release of our sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin. Close your laptop, switch off your mobile and make yourself a cup of this Organic Bedtime Herbal Tea to help you sleep before laying down for a meditation session before falling asleep. Health practitioners suggest that a 20 minute meditation equals 2 hours worth of sleep!

Prevent and treat stress (nip it in the bud before you have a meltdown)

Did you know that stress is one of the leading causes of illness? According to the American Psychological Association, "..chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. And more than 75 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints." - www.miamiherald.com. This is a shocking, yet believable statistic! Stress has a huge effect on various bodily organs, and if you don't make an effort to take care of your mental state, it can be serious. There are various things that you can do to remedy your body being affected by stress, such as exercise, meditation, going for walks or going for massages. 

Tip: Aromatherapy oils are well-known for reducing stress! Whether you add a few drops to your bath, rub onto your temples, go for aromatherapy massages or use in a diffuser, you will immediately feel your stress levels decrease! View our entire collection of pure, organic aromatherapy essential oils.

Don't be afraid to say 'no'

Running a busy lifestyle means that you need to put in a lot of time and effort into your to-do-list. It may be tempting to say yes to enticing invites when you have deadlines that need to be met, but sometimes you have to politely decline. You'll be thankful in the morning. Your friends and family should understand and support your priorities. There will always be a next time when your plate isn't so full. If you have a busy lifestyle, you need to be focused and determined in order to achieve your goals. Sometimes when you get a gap in your busy schedule, it may be more worthwhile to take some time out for yourself rather than going out with friends!

Tip: One of the good characteristics of successful people is self-discipline!

Don't be afraid to say 'yes'

Continuing from the last point of being focused and having self-discipline, it's important to also be gentle on yourself. While it's easy to get caught up with work, sometimes to the point where you may find yourself completely immersed in your to-do-list, you also need to touch base. Social interaction, exercise, down time, relaxation and FUN is critical for any sentient being! You've completed everything you set out to do for the week? Go for drinks with friends or to the cinema with your bestie! You deserve it. Instead of pushing your limits day after day, reward your hard work with whatever makes you happy. If you feel like you're overworked, call up your mate who wanted to hook up a couple of weeks ago and finally take them up on their offer. 

Tip: You'll find that after rewarding your hard work, you'll return to the grind feeling a lot more refreshed, motivated and focused. 

What do you find helps you keep balance while running a busy lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!

If you have any questions, please contact us or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!