How to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle When You Are Busy and Single
It’s very hard to maintain a healthy diet and a lifestyle that is rewarding on a physical, mental and spiritual level, not least as you may be busy working all hours of the day and simply don’t have the time or energy to focus on what your body, and mind, need.
According to many areas of research, married people are healthier than single people, and while this isn’t something that should have you reassessing your life decisions, it may help when it comes to changing the way you live.
If you are so busy with work that the idea of a work/life balance almost seems like someone’s idea of a joke, then there is something wrong. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle starts with finding a balance in your work schedule.
A Work/Life Balance That Actually Works
Single people tend to be more career-driven, which isn’t a bad thing (in fact, it’s essential in many ways), but that doesn’t mean it should take over your entire waking and sleeping lifetime.
We can often be our own worst enemy when it comes to working too hard, especially if we are self-employed or a key member of a team. There are many of us who think that if we stop for even a second, then like a shark, we’ll die (or our career will at least).
Be prepared, on occasion, to say you’ll respond to that email in the morning, or maybe even make a commitment to not check work emails after 6 pm. Maybe try a weekend away from work entirely? You’d be surprised how much mentally well off you’ll feel if you impose rules on yourself in this way.
Don’t Have Time to Cook? No Problem
Cooking for yourself or being so busy that an unhealthy take-out is all you have time for might lead to a less than healthy nutritional base for your meals. However, there are ways to make things easier in this department.
Meal delivery kits are a good way to enjoy a varied diet, and when you order from the top providers of these services, the food you receive is fresh and delicious. Also, if you have strict dietary requirements, that’s not an issue. The best organic meal delivery kits are available in a number of types, including vegan, vegetarian, and many other options.
Alternatively, you can look to be more organized in your approach to cooking by making good use of your freezer and cooking multiple meals at once. Additionally, you could learn to make the whole act of cooking more fun and a chance to become a better cook. Those who take more pride in their cooking abilities tend to eat more healthily as they are more aware of what they are consuming.
You Don’t Need to Join a Gym
Your hectic work schedule and nights out on the town might mean you don’t have the time or resources to get the most out of an expensive gym membership, but you can stay in shape and healthy by exercising in other ways.
Forgoing the car or public transport to work and instead jog or walk your way there. Taking up another pastime or hobby, like cycling or joining a sports team (maybe your work has one), might also be more fun than attempting to outdo the guy or girl on the elliptical beside yours.
Sleep Is Key
Being single can play havoc with your sleep. Maybe you are out most evenings socializing, which is not a bad thing, but this can take its toll on your health. Never undervalue the importance of a good night’s sleep.
We all vary when it comes to how many hours we need, be that anything from five to eight hours, but the issue that many struggle with is getting that amount of unbroken sleep. A failure to do so can leave you feeling very drained.
Use apps to help regulate your sleep patterns, and we strongly suggest you don’t spend hours on your phone before your head hits the pillow, as this is not conducive to a good night’s sleep.
Be Good to Yourself
There are many benefits to being single, just as there are benefits to being in a loving relationship, and clearly, it’s all a matter of choice and, of course, your personal circumstances.
However, living on your own can, for some, be a challenge. You might tend to suffer from loneliness more than those who live with others, and that’s not unique, and there are ways to manage such a situation.
Some single people do all they can not to have to return to an empty apartment or home, opting instead to go straight from work to a bar or some other function that means that getting home is delayed.
If you are in this type of situation, try to find the positives in that alone time. Take up a hobby, and look to build upon existing skills or things you’ve put on the back burner due to not having had the time to commit to them before.
Perhaps most importantly, don’t look for reasons to attack yourself mentally. Often single people, who are not happy with the situation they are in, might often see this as a failing but should instead see negatives as opportunities that are just waiting to arrive. Staying healthy mentally is, in many ways, more important than being physically at your best.