Have you ever asked yourself the question…what am I going to do for ME today? All too often, we find ourselves wrapped up in the everyday happenings of life to take a moment to take care of ourselves. It may make us feel guilty or unproductive to think of ourselves before others and instead we continue to focus on those around us…spouses, kids, co-workers, bosses and the public in general.

Taking care of ‘ME’ first for some is a major shift in thinking. On the personal front, our spouses and friends look to us as confidants and partners in life. As parents, we are taught that the family and kids come first. We wear many hats during our lives, and sometimes may forget that unless we take care of ourselves, we may not be able to take care of those around us.

In the business world, we find ourselves surrounded by co-workers, bosses, clients and support staff. As employees (or employers), our jobs sometimes have high demands as our companies learn to adapt and adjust to the ever changing global business environment. At the office, we may be part of a team or working independently, most certainly will have pressures to be productive. We need to get the most out of our day!!! Contrary to what one might think, not taking time out for yourself can impact how you function in your job.

I’ve always believed in the concept of Wellness being comprised of 3 different areas of one’s life. These are Mind, Body and Spirit. When one of these is off, we are not ‘well’ and aren’t meeting our full potential. Today, I’d like to focus on one specific area, the Body, and provide some helpful hints on how you might be able to adjust your everyday routine just slightly, yielding huge impacts on how you feel at the end of the day.

Nutrition and exercise are major contributors to how your body feels. Following proper nutrition guidelines and strict exercise regimens may seem impossible tasks in today’s busy lifestyles. But making small modifications to your activities during the day can have a large impact on how you feel.

With respect to nutrition, many of us skip out on a proper breakfast, replacing it with a large ‘double-double’ at the local coffee shop, or no breakfast at all. This deprives our brain and body of the nutrients they need to be productive during the day. It also means we will most likely be hungrier during the day and tend to binge to satisfy our cravings. So, plan a few extra minutes for yourself in the morning to enjoy a healthy breakfast before heading to the office. Not only will it make you feel better, it will contribute to a more productive day!

Snacks should be consumed in moderate amounts during the course of the work day and consist of healthy choices. Fruits, vegetables, nuts are all healthy snack alternatives that can keep our energy up and our cravings down. Make sure to wash it all down with lots of water.

Of course, if temptation gives way to reason, don’t get too down on yourself. Even here you can make ‘healthier’ choices. If you’re going through the drive-thru on your lunch break, choose a hamburger instead of a cheeseburger and a side salad instead of fries. Maybe forego ‘supersizing’ the large drink and get a small drink instead, preferably water. Perhaps take note of the portion sizes and get a to-go container when you order your meal, allowing you to take half of your meal home. Little changes like this over the span of the week can make big differences when added up.

Proper nutrition is only half of the battle when it comes to having a healthy body. It goes hand in hand with proper exercise. Many people don’t think they have enough time to work out during the week so don’t do anything. Exercise can be achieved in smaller ‘doses’ with little tweaks to your everyday routine resulting in the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

If you work on the second floor, take the stairs instead of the elevator. When parking, pick the stall at the opposite end of the parking lot so you have to walk a little further. Better yet, replace your car with a bicycle in order to get to work. During the day, while sitting at your desk, take some trips to the water cooler to get up and walk around. Take a few moments to stretch at your desk throughout the day. Perhaps at lunch take a 30 minute walk instead of sitting at your desk. These are all little things that get the body moving, but can be weaved into our normal activities throughout the day.

Little changes in your nutritional and exercise habits will pave the way to a healthier ‘body’ and therefore contribute to your overall Wellness. In turn, a healthier ‘YOU’ better enables you to look after everything and everyone around you. You’ll find yourself more productive at work and better able to take on the tasks of the day. So, take a few well-deserved minutes to look after yourself today…your team SHOULD thank you for it.