Are you the type of person to charge into a major home improvement project? Are you always the first to volunteer for an upcoming event? Are your weekends typically jam-packed with activities?
Follow these tips to harness all that energy – and take care of yourself at the same time.
1. Get active.
If your schedule has been so full lately that you haven’t had much time for physical activity, ease yourself back into an active lifestyle. “Focus on your warm-up for a few weeks. Try stretching, brisk walks, family bike rides or a game of catch with your kids. Work your way up to a 30-minute activity you can commit to each day,” explains Frank Moussa, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at HonorHealth Orthopedics - Shea.
2. Make healthy choices.
It’s not always easy to make healthy choices when you’re running from one activity to the next. Try keeping healthy food options on hand, and plan meals ahead whenever possible. Skip the chips and go for raw veggies. Think fruits and cheeses for dessert. Keep your water bottle with you, and limit sugary drinks and alcohol.
3. Plant some veggies.
Start small – your back and your budget will thank you. Try a few family-friendly vegetables and herbs you’ll enjoy. A $2 tomato plant can yield as much as 10 pounds of fruit in a season.
4. Use the right safety equipment.
If you’re itching to try out that new power tool, reach for safety goggles or glasses, gloves, a dust mask, hearing protection and any other gear you’ll need first. And save the flip flops for the pool – you’ll want to wear the right shoes when working with tools, just to be safe.
5. Take time off to rest.
Remember, it’s important to give yourself a minute to rest and recharge. Catch up on sleep, read for pleasure or unplug with a family game night.