When you’re already worn down, it can seem like an insurmountable task to start building healthy habits for a healthy lifestyle. Because of the mental and physical drain that stress and exhaustion can cause, it can be challenging to form and maintain new routines and routine times when one is already feeling overworked and overstressed. However, contrary to common belief, you need not completely uproot yourself and start over. Making gradual improvements over time is the best way to see results.
This was confirmed in a recent Instagram post by Harvard Business Review. When one is tired, it is difficult to initiate change. The trick is to take baby steps. In order to effect lasting change, it’s best to go about it in a calm, all-encompassing manner, as the caption advised. “Getting enough sleep and eating right will help other habits stick,” it continued.
If you can relate to this and feel like your daily exhaustion is holding you back from a healthy future, try these 4 simple things to make a lasting impact on your overall health:
Begin with a good night’s rest.
The key to increased productivity when fatigued is not to push harder but to push less. Attempt to keep the same sleep/wake schedule for a week. Once you get into a routine of getting enough sleep, your body will assist you in achieving your daily objectives instead of acting as a hindrance.
Remember your diet.
It is easy to forget to eat or drink when you are overworked or under pressure. The best way to combat this is to always have a glass of water and a quick snack on your desk, but especially when you’re extremely busy. This will make you feel more energised and focused while decreasing fatigue and stress.
So, to speak: Activate!
Once you’ve got your rest and diet figured out, you can move on to exercise. If that sounds like a lot to you, start with some light stretching and a daily walk. Expand on that foundation.
Embrace a fresh routine.
You’ll be able to take on more once you’ve established these good routines. Pick a single behaviour to replace an old one. You might, for instance, set a goal of mastering such novel behaviours as punctuality, forward planning of one’s time, inbox minimization, etc.