After a recent health scare, which luckily turned out to be just a scare, I have been thinking a lot about health. Spending a lot of time on VR or on the computer can make it easy for time to slip away, so it’s important to take a little time out every day to pay attention to how you are feeling and stretch a bit, and spend some time taking care of yourself.
I have always been a fan of yoga, although getting out to the gym on yoga night has been a challenge the last year. I have been working on a short list of things that I try to stay consistently “on top of” in order to feel good. I notice that my body will tell me when something is off, as in an ache when my posture is off or an upset stomach when I’m eating junk food. While those feelings are inconvenient, I’ve found that if I let those pains be a guiding light to what I should be doing and inspire me to do better. Here’s what I have so far..
- Timing is Everything: They say that for your eyes, you should follow the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes, you should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. I set a timer on my phone to beep every 30 minutes, which helps me to not lose track of time. This also reduces eye strain from staring at the screen1.
- Take Breaks: Regularly get up and move around. Set reminders to stretch, walk, or do simple exercises. This helps prevent stiffness and promotes blood circulation3. When my 30 minute timer goes off, I grab some water and maybe a healthy snack.
- Healthy Snacks: Keep nutritious snacks nearby. They say that ultra processed foods are to blame for so many instances of cancer in younger adults, so I simply avoid buying things like chips, ice cream, and snack cakes or donettes. I instead opt for fruits, nuts, or yogurt instead of sugary or processed foods3. Before I go shopping, I look at images of healthy foods and look up healthy recipes to buy ingredients for.
- Clean Workspace: A clutter-free desk reduces stress and promotes focus. I am easily distracted, so cleaning can be a challenge, but it’s well worth the effort. Plus, it’s easier to maintain good posture when your workspace is organized3.
Remember, small adjustments can make a big difference in your overall well-being! I want you all to be happy and well! Thanks for the read!😊
Sue Christians AKA CodeMage
Leave a Reply