The summer has gone so quickly this year. Schools are
ready to open next week in some areas and most colleges will be going in full swing very soon. How can we maintain our
commitment to being healthy when we get busier, stress increases and we are exhausted? Many students, Moms and Dads
and others will soon be burdened with homework, carpools and increased workloads. How do we take care of ourselves under
these conditions?
1. Rest and Sleep - most adults and adolescents don't
get the amount of sleep they need on a regular basis. Too much work, too much computer play-time (all you Facebook,
Twitter and game players) and not enough sleep. There are a few sleep hygiene tips that can be helpful.
a. Don't sleep anywhere
but your bed.
b.
Use your bed only for sleep, not for reading, eating, sewing, playing games, etc. (OK, there is one more activity that you
can do in bed. Can you guess?)
c. Try to take at least 15-30 minutes to wind down before bed doing something quiet and low-stimulating. Watching
TV doesn't qualify. Some people like to read (nothing scary, gory or too stimulating), some people wind down my doing
yoga or stretching, and some like to write in a journal.
d. If you are trying to go to sleep or wake up in the middle of the
night and are trying to get back to sleep, don't toss and turn for more than 20 minutes. Get up, go to another room
that is dimly lit and engage in a quiet activity until you feel tired again. Then go back to sleep. If you are having
serious sleep problems and wake up way too early or feel exhausted in the morning, you could have a sleep disorder. Consult
your doctor.
2. Nourishment - our bodies need fuel to operate properly.
Using a Health At Every Size® approach to food, movement and well-being can make a difference. Pay attention
to what your body is telling you.
a. Are you actually physically hungry or does that chocolate cake call you from the
refrigerator (this usually means you are not physically hungry)?
b. What type of food is your body hungry for? Sweet, sour, dill, crunchy,
smooth, cold, hot, room temperature?
c. As you are eating, pay attention to the food in your stomach. Can you sense a feeling of fullness? Not
sure? Wait a few minutes to see if you are still hungry. If so, keep eating until you are comfortably full. If
you went too far and got too full, have compassion for yourself, tell yourself you are learning to listen to your body and
move on. You don't need to compensate by starving the next day or going on a diet (they don't work in the long run).
3. Connection - as humans, we need to connect. What is your connection comfort level?
Do you love people and feel lonely when you are by yourself? Do you need a full day of alone time to recover from
attending a large party? Knowing your own comfort level is the best way to meet your connection needs? Here are
some things to consider?
a. Do you feel drained or energized when you are with the person?
b. Do you look forward to hearing from the person
or are you feeling dread when you get an email from them?
c. If you are not getting what you need (either peace and quiet or lively stimulation) brainstorm
some ways that you can have a better balance in your life.
JUST REMEMBER
- ONLY YOU CAN KNOW WHAT YOU TRULY NEED. IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU PROBABLY WON'T GET IT.
