The following post is by MPFJ staff writer, Chonce. You can read more articles by Chonce over at her personal blog, My Debt Epiphany. Enjoy!
I’ve always been known to be a workaholic like most other Americans who dream of seeing better days for their finances. Getting into debt during college prompted me to start hustling on the side of my full-time job more and luckily, work has picked up tremendously. I work an average of 60 hours per week spread across each day.
Not having any official off days can take its’ toll on anyone, but I know I’m not the only one embracing the hustle. According to Fortune.com, American employers offer the least amount of paid time off compared to European companies. Yet and still, U.S. employees typically leave about 429 million paid vacation days on the table every year.
Last year I had an unexpected minor surgery that woke me up by telling me I need to put more time and energy into my health as opposed to all the hours I was putting into work. Taking time off for yourself and focusing on your health is so important because without your health, you can’t work and bring in an income anyway.
Here are 5 affordable ways to take care of your health when you’re a goal-drive workaholic.
Go for a 10-Minute Walk or Run
Sitting at a desk all day can be extremely damaging to your health. According to Diabetes.org, 67 percent of Americans hate sitting, yet 86% of Americans sit all day at work. Sitting for long periods of time can reduce your metabolism while excessive sitting has been identified as a key factor in heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and obesity.
To get on your feet more during the day, you need to squeeze in time to stand, do something active, or simply go for a walk or jog around the block. Getting a routine established will help improve your health over time and possibly even help you obtain that extra energy boost you need throughout the day.
Meditate When You Wake Up
Meditation is great for calming the mind and body along with being a great stress reliever. Stress and anxiety can cause health problems long-term. Whether you tend to stress out about work, money, or your kids, start your day off on the right foot by meditating for a few minutes and thinking about positive aspects of your life.
You can even keep a gratitude journal and spend a few minutes each day writing in it.
Take a Random Vacation Day or Plan a Rest Day
Don’t be one of those people who don’t take their vacation days. Employers understand that workers need rest which is why they make those days available to you. If you don’t have any relaxing trips planned, take a staycation and just stay at home, relax, catch up on your rest and recharge.
If you don’t have any vacation days available, schedule down time on one of your off days and commit to doing something relaxing.
Eat Whole Foods
What you eat can affect your body, health, and even your attitude so it’s important to make sure you’re putting the right things in your body. Eating a diet filled with whole foods, fruits and vegetables doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it can cost significantly less than expensive processed foods.
Start your day off with a nutritious breakfast and meal plan during the weekend so you won’t be tempted to buy quick and unhealthy foods due to the convenience and being short on time. You can also try smoothies by blending your favorite fruit with a bland vegetable like spinach or kale to work more whole and healthy foods into your diet to give your body the fuel it needs.
Make Time for Annual Health Exams
It’s Important to schedule time for regular physical exams with a healthcare professional each year. Preventative screenings and check-ups can help identify any problems that could occur later down the road and keep your body at its’ absolute healthiest state.
Plus, as long as you have insurance, most annual checkups should be covered so you won’t have to spend much.
Getting a check-up last year was one of the best things I could have done to maintain my health because it let me know that I needed to have a preventative surgery to eliminate developing cancer when I got older. It’s a scary thought for a young person in their twenties, but it’s better to be aware of what’s going on in your body and be committed to keeping it healthy.
No matter what your work or financial goals are (as I know they can seem overwhelming at times), it’s always best to prioritize your health and make time to improve it.
How about you all? Do you consider yourself a workaholic? How do you make time and put forth the effort to maintain your health without spending lots of money?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Photo courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/tashmahal/2731681028/
