Staying healthy and connected – online and off
Today’s blog post is from Jennifer Baker, a social media expert in Kingston, ON. Jennifer is a busy gal, teaching small businesses and individuals how to use social media to stay connected to their target markets. Between workshops, curriculum design, and meetings, you would think she doesn’t have time to take care of her health. But on the contrary, this social media wiz is connected both online and off, and stays healthy as she does it. Here’s how.
My name is Jennifer Baker and I am a firm believer that healthy eating and frequent exercise lead to improved productivity and efficiency. Today I am going to share with you a few small tips that I do on a daily basis to keep my health in check.
Exercise
Meetings.
I operate a business that focuses on social media consulting and training. As a result, a big part of my job is meetings – setting-up, attending, and following-up. Many times I block off extra time during my day so that I can walk or take public transit to the meeting. This active form of transportation ensures an extra 15-30 minutes of walking or standing, when I would otherwise be sitting idle in my car. Do that 5 times per week, and I have added an extra hour and fifteen minutes of light exercise to my week.
Actively commuting can add activity to your day and reduce your risk for many chronic health conditions.
Lunch Time.
Working from home can have its perks, including full access to running equipment all the time. At least 2 times per week I use the lunch hour to go for a run. I use MapMyRun.com to map out the run prior to ensure I meet my desired distance goal. The software is also a great tool to keep track of the number of times per week/month that you run/jog/walk and the associated distances.
Best running equipment ever: your body.
Good Music.
Whether you’re walking to a meeting or running on your lunch break, make sure to have a good playlist to plug into. Music is a fabulous motivator and can keep you going when you think you can’t take another step. Here’s some of the music I listened to today on my run (Please don’t judge me!):
- Cry (Just a Little) Bingo Players
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- Freedom ’90 – George Michael
- I Cry – Flo Rida
- What I Wouldn’t Do – Serena Ryder
What kind of music motivates you to get moving?
Nutrition
Snacks
Remember all those meetings I attend? They usually come complete with adorable muffins, sugary cinnamon rolls, and melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Well, there’s no other way to say it, so “Step back from the snack bar!” Instead grab a drink like a water or herbal tea to busy your mouth/hands during the meeting.
Make the right choice
Coffee
I love black coffee. However, I have found that drinking too much affects my focus and productivity during the day. In the last 6 months I have chosen to limit my coffee intake to one cup in the morning per day. If I am craving a something warm in the afternoon/evening, I choose a decaffeinated blend, or herbal tea. This choice has also improved my sleeping patterns dramatically.
Maybe it’s time to cut back…
I hope you have learned a few small tidbits of information to help you make healthy choices. I hope to share many more ideas and tips in the future with you.
Thank you Jennifer for sharing your healthy lifestyle tips with us. We look forward to hearing more soon!