On Getting It All Done Without Losing Your Sh*t
Written by Chelsea Stutzman // Edited by Chelsea DuDeVoire
Chances are that if you’ve made it here, there are probably a few things you’re hustling for on a daily basis.
Maybe you’re grinding at your day job for 8+ hours a day, only to turn around and knock out blog posts, podcasts or client work for your side hustle at night. Or maybe you’re lucky enough to love your day job, and your hustle looks like juggling that office life with countless happy hours, brunches and volunteer gigs. Maybe you’re in school hustlin’ non-stop and wondering what all of this hustle is for.
Are you supposed to get an office job? Will that make you happy? Could you sit at a desk all day and handle fluorescent lights and messy officemates (or judgement from Neat Freak officemates)? If you don’t do that, what else could you do?
Hell, maybe none of that applies and you just feel like you’re a babe who hustles. Or maybe you're a stay at home mom whose hustle never really ends.
Whatever your hustle is, my friend, I’m here to tell ya that it's a hell of a lot harder to stay chill, energized and happy when you’re working your ass off nonstop. And then? It gets even harder to keep grinding out whatever life throws your way, because you’re exhausted and grumpy and probably pissed off that you’re bloated and breaking out.
Can I get an amen?
75% of adults have reported experiencing moderate to high levels of stress in the past month, and nearly half reported that their stress has increased in the past year, according to the American Psychological Association. 80% of workers feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage that stress.
While we all know stress just plain sucks, it’s also linked to headaches, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue, sleep problems, digestive upset, etc. etc. etc.
I don’t know about you, but I’m 100% not interested in any of that.
So what’s a hustling babe to do? Fortunately, there are a few simple lifestyle tricks and changes and tricks you can start working to implement, which will help manage your stress and improve your overall health at the same time. Let me fill you in:
Meditation.
...it’s not just for crunchy yogis. There are countless studies on meditation that prove impressive results from growing your brain to actually reversing the aging process and improving memory. Going through a basic guided meditation for 10 minutes a day will also help to lower your resting heart rate and activate your parasympathetic nervous system at the same time – that’s the ‘rest and digest’ branch of your nervous system, and it’s only active when the ‘fight or flight’ sympathetic nervous system can cool its jets. Calm is a great app to use for guided meditations, or if you’re ready to jump in solo, set a timer for 10 minutes and count your breaths. Say to yourself, ‘inhale, 1, exhale, 1, inhale 2, exhale 2, inhale 3, exhale 3…’ Count to 10, then start over.
Hydrate yourself happy.
Water is critical for just about every chemical process that our bodies go through, and so many of our common day-to-day health complaints are linked to chronic dehydration. Headaches, muscle fatigue, cravings, low energy, brain fog… can all be caused simply by not getting enough water. So what is "enough?" Well, like everything else - it depends - but start by making sure you’re getting at least 60 oz. of water a day. Pro tip? Add some La Croix sparkling water to your repertoire when you’re getting started. That stuff is delicious AND hydrating, (and feels a little bit less daunting, if you ask me.)
Sleep to your heart’s content.
You know what upsets me? The whole "sleep is for the weak" trend. In my book, there’s absolutely nothing glorious about getting by on only 5 hours of sleep night after night. All-nighters are not sexy, and your skin has my back on this one. There’s a reason why sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture, and it’s because it wreaks havoc on our brains and bodies. Lack of sleep is linked to higher risk of chronic health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and strokes. Even one night without enough sleep can spike your blood pressure the next day. So seriously, figure out how much sleep your body needs, and make sure you get it. Most people need at least 7 hours a night, but listen to your body. If you’re a 9 hours a night kinda gal like me, then respect what you need. Sleep is sexy, and you’ll be sexier - and happier - when you sleep enough, guaranteed.
Eat more fat.
The healthy kind, of course. I’m talking avocados, olive oil, flax, hemp and chia seeds, nuts and fish. These are all great sources of omega-3 (and some omega-6) fats that your bod needs for healthy eyes, brain function, blood sugar regulation, energy, and more. It’s important stuff. Added bonus? Eating these fats can also sometimes help you lose some of the bad fat you’re sick of holding onto. Win/win.
Explore Supplements.
Okay, so I’m ultimately a proponent of getting your nutrients from whole foods (not Whole Foods, mind you. Very different.) But, I recognize that it’s tough to do when you’re busy AF - and supplements can be a great help! Especially because our soil is stripped of some critical nutrients like magnesium, so it’s pretty much impossible to get everything you need from just food... but that’s a story for another time. As far as regular supplements go, I’d recommend getting a high quality multivitamin, high quality probiotic, magnesium, and Vitamin D supplements. These supplements are a great way to fill in any gaps in your diet, but always check with your doctor before you switch anything up, especially if you’re on any other meds.
Boom! Five easy hacks to help you handle your stress and keep hustling your heart out. Real talk – how easy would it be to add even one of these tips to your daily routine? (Answer: not very hard.) Which one speaks to you? I’d love to hear what you’re planning to try and how it works for you.
Chelsea is a health + happiness coach and the founder of th Well Soul Collective, a holistic health + wellness practice. As a health coach and certified yoga instructor, she helps women build a healthy lifestyle using holistic health, self-care and mindfulness. Find her on Instagram, Facebook + Twitter.
