1. Always be prepared - Don’t get caught with your pants down. You know the routine, you’re out being a rockstar showing homes, taking calls, and then it hits you…the PIT. You know you’re starving but you don’t have time to grab a quick snack so you hit the drive through, then regret the bellyache later. Well, you know that friend that has the little kids who always has a snack in her purse. Be that friend and get yourself a snack in your purse. Good snacks to choose from are high protein snacks like nuts or a boiled egg. We all have the friend with a toddler that always has a snack in her purse just in case. Be the one with a snack in your purse!
2. Breathe - I won’t get into all the details of this but here is the full article from Harvard about how it reduces stress and increases cognitive function because let’s face it we could all use a little more of that. Here is a link to the research here. This is a little breathing exercise you can do any time, anywhere, to get that reset even when you are on the go. It’s called the 5-5-7 breath. You breath in for 5 counts, hold for 5, and exhale for 7. Repeat 3 times or until you feel relaxed. Look! You just did a breathing meditation:) Who says you can’t meditate?
3. Who you are BE-ing is more important than what you are Do-ing: Let me explain, when you are in the moment and you are ready to work that sale or show that house and are rushing in, stressed and hungry...now imagine you are cool as a cucumber gliding in like a dance feeling confident and strong, full of delight. How might this affect your day? You see, you get to be whomever you want at any point in time because you are in charge of your reactions. So, next time you open a door or get into your car take a moment and ask yourself who am I being right now?
4. Sleep hygiene - Sleep is important to reset the body, replenish the yin energy, and heal. This might seem rudimentary but really, you would not ask your kiddos or your spouse to burn their candle at both ends. We all know how that turns out...
5. Turn off the distractions- humans are not multitaskers; save yourself, commit to one thing at a time. There is nothing worse than sitting with someone with their phone out trying to have a conversation only to be ignored every 10 seconds as they check their phone for messages. Stop, listen and focus on the task at hand. You will appreciate the connection, I promise you.
6. Schedule in time for fun-fun is just as important as work! I mean why are you working so hard anyway? It’s all for fun, right? Take the time to plan in some fun adventures with friends and family so you don’t wake up one day and regret all the fun you missed.
7. Clear the clutter-clear space equals a clear mind. This includes your calendar too! Most people underestimate the amount of time and overestimate the amount of things they can accomplish in a day. Take a look at your schedule and see where you can make some more time and space. This goes for your living and work space as well. Take a look around and see where you could be more zen and clear some of that clutter. Pick a corner and start. You don’t have to do everything but start with a small corner or drawer and get organized.
8. Exercise-this works twofold to help increase serotonin, the happy hormone, as well as decrease cortisol the stress hormone. Get your heart rate up 4-5 times per week for 20- 30 mins outside for maximum effectiveness.
9. Gratitude Practice - I think this speaks for itself but studies have shown that gratitude is the easiest way to shift your attitude. Having a simple practice of starting your day with 3 simple things you are grateful for can set the stage for an amazing day.
10. Silence…We are surrounded by stimulation all day every day. Take time to turn off your phone, close the computer, and just be quiet! Silence is a powerful tool to decrease stress, decrease insomnia and can even stimulate brain growth. Schedule some time each day to sit in silence, it may just make you smarter:)
Bonus: Shinrin-yoku. Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means taking in the forest through our senses.Get yourself some nature, spend time outside enjoying the sunshine, breathing fresh air and bathe in the forest.
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