By Canyon Ranch | Grand Prize Raffle Sponsor for the 2024 WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum
Ever wish there were four of you to handle all the things you do in a day?
From partner to parent to co-worker and friend to caregiver, teacher, and volunteer, you constantly juggle the dynamic, multi-hyphenate roles you play in your communities. There will be periods where everything rolls along quite smoothly — others, not so much. Developing best practices to manage not only your time but your overall well-being requires consistency and dedication.
According to the CDC, evidence-based practices like having a self-care regimen, spending regular time outdoors, unplugging from electronics, and setting good boundaries help you become stronger and live longer.
Here are four simple strategies to keep in mind when managing a bustling lifestyle:
Set Clear Boundaries
Be upfront with your friends and family about what you can do — and what you can’t. Set realistic expectations daily. None of us are superhuman, and when we over-schedule and stretch the limits of our capabilities, the stress piles up. Often it’s simply a matter of taking time to say out loud how others can support you. For example, “I’ve got a really busy day today. Who can help out?” can lead to a more peaceful, efficient day. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the house and beyond sets expectations with clear limits.
Unplug Daily
MIT professor Sherry Turkle has authored numerous books and research on the impact of technology on our lives. The quickest and easiest way to reverse negative effects is to put down your devices and engage in-person with your family and community. Her research also shows that turning your devices off hours before bedtime and darkening the room can assist in developing better sleep patterns. This leads to lowering your cortisol, and, ultimately, reducing stress — a great tactic when wearing multiple hats.
Practice Self Care
While it can take many different shapes, self care is essentially taking time for yourself. When managing different, diverse roles in life, it can be easy to forget about you and become absorbed in the lives around you. Self care is a form of self-respect that may take time to implement in your daily life. But incorporating self-care practices with regularity builds confidence. We recommend the simple approach. Start with breathwork: Take time to breathe, sit quietly, and participate in meditation or other self-reflection practices.
Get Outdoors Often
There’s strong evidence to support the healing qualities of nature. Getting active outside on a regular basis is beneficial from a physical standpoint but also from a mental health angle. Research at Cornell University found that as little as 10 minutes a day outdoors can lower stress levels. So much of our life is tied to an electronic device; getting offline and getting outdoors is vital to living a healthier and more vibrant life.
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About the Author
Canyon Ranch is a global leader in wellness resorts dedicated to empowering people to live longer, healthier lives with curated programs designed to meet your personal wellness goals. The stunning locations, daily activities, outdoor adventure, renowned spa treatments, and unrivaled approach to healthy cuisine make every moment unforgettable. WPO is proud to partner with Canyon for your perfect wellness getaway—now with exclusive benefits for WPO members. Visit CanyonRanch.com for more information.