When you're constantly busy, it can be hard to keep up with your health. Caring for your health when you're super busy is about trying to balance all the things you want to do and not getting burned out. This blog will help you find that balance.

Tips to take care of your health with a busy lifestyle

We live in a busy world, and things can get a bit overwhelming sometimes. Many people struggle jobs, family, and perhaps even a business or other commitments on the side. With so much going on, it can be difficult to manage to take care of yourself and concentrate on healthy living.

A lot of us are guilty of ignoring it when we feel ill or putting off going to the doctors when we think something might be wrong. Doing these things can only make your stressful life worse, and stress can affect your health too.

If you want to avoid stress and poor health feeding into each other, there are some things you can do to manage your health when you're busy.

Should you take time off work if you're too busy and feeling stressed?

It's important to consider when you need to take time off work. If you're feeling sick, stressed or burnt out, it's important to know when to take time off.  No one likes the thought of having to catch up on their work when they return after a couple of days off. However, there are benefits to missing work for a day or two.

For starters, refusing to take any time off work could mean you take longer to recover. You're pushing your body to its limits, and it's not doing anything good for your immune system.

The other reason to stay home is out of courtesy for your colleagues. It's not fair to make them ill because you won't take a day off.

It's hard to know when you should take a break from work and when you should push through. But if your health is deteriorating, then it's best to take the time off and recover.

A lot of people often feel guilty for not taking time off work because they feel like they are letting their company down or their job is more important than their health. But in reality, your health comes first and it's essential that you take breaks from your job so that you can maintain a healthy balance between work and life.

How to see a doctor when life is busy

Time management can be a struggle when you're busy.  Getting a doctor's appointment can be tough when you work full-time. It often means taking a morning or afternoon off, which can be annoying. You might not feel ill, and you may just want to check a slightly bothersome problem. This can lead to people putting off appointments and deciding not to bother.

If this sounds like you, you could consider seeing an online doctor instead. They can speak to you over a video conference about your physical or mental health.

Online doctors have been a popular option for people who are busy with work or other responsibilities and need quick access to health care services. They provide services like online consultations, online lab tests, and online prescriptions. They also offer 24/7 availability, which is great for those who want an easy way to get their health needs met without having to take time out of their busy days or weekdays to visit the doctor's office.

And, if you need to be seen in person if it's more serious than you first thought, they'll let you know. 

Practicing self-care when you're busy

Looking after yourself when you're busy is essential. You don't always need to see a doctor or take time off work. But you often need to ensure that you have time and methods to relax or that you take care of minor ailments.

Self care is important for everyone, but it becomes even more important when you're super busy. It's not always possible to take time out from work to do the things you need to do in order to keep your health and well-being up. But you can make time in the morning or evening, even if only for ten minutes.

The best way to practice self-care if you are limited on time is through mindfulness and meditation.  Just ten minutes a day meditating can help you to relax, improving your mood and well-being for the rest of the day.

Another good way to practice self-care is by doing things that help you feel productive and keep your energy levels high - like taking a break, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Here’s how:

1. Take a break

If you find yourself constantly stressed and have no time for yourself, then it's time to take a break from work and focus on your own needs. Sometimes all it takes is a quick walk around the block or taking a nap in the afternoon to give yourself some peace of mind.

2. Get enough sleep

When we're not getting enough sleep, our bodies go into survival mode which can lead to difficulty concentrating and making good decisions. So make sure you get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night so that you can perform at your best during the day!

3. Eating healthy

Eating a diet full of fruits, veggies and homemade nutritious meals will help you feel good inside and out. It will also prevent you from getting ill which will force you to stop your busy lifestyle. Prevention is the best cure, so remember to always put healthy eating first.

4. Exercising regularly

Exercising helps your body and mind stay healthy, which helps you stay productive throughout the day. Exercising is good for self care because it helps you get out of your head and into your body. It can also help you feel more grounded and less anxious. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It also helps regulate sleep cycles and improves your moods.

You might not automatically think of these things as being self care, but they are all about looking after yourself and being healthy, so they are!  Self care isn't just pedicures, bubble baths and meditation, although that can all help too.

Take supplements to boost health when busy

When you're working all day and then taking care of your family at night, it can be difficult to find time to eat healthy and exercise.  Numerous health experts advise turning to supplements as a way to get the vitamins they need without having to make drastic changes in their diet or lifestyle.  Supplements can help you maintain your energy levels and still provide you with the nutrients that your body needs.

It is important, however, not to replace a healthy diet with supplements alone. Supplements should only be used when necessary and never as a substitute for good nutrition!  Eating healthy food is the best way to take care of ourselves when we are super busy, but we can also supplement our diet with natural vitamins and mineral supplements to ensure our body is getting everything it needs.

Luckily, there are many supplements that can help us feel energised even when we're very busy. The following supplements can help you stay productive and energised when you're busy:

• Creatine: Creatine is a natural substance that helps replenish the energy in your muscles. It is found naturally in meat, fish and seeds but can also be found as a supplement. There are vegan creatine supplements available too.
• Caffeine: Caffeine has been shown to increase alertness, concentration, and energy levels. It is also known to improve mood and reduce fatigue.  Green tea is one of the best ways to get a caffeine boost as it's full of antioxidants and doesn't give that dreaded coffee slump effect!  Not everyone agrees with caffeine though, so check out these ways to get energy without caffeine. 
• Nootropics: Nootropics are substances that enhance cognitive function without any side effects. They can help improve memory, focus, attention span and creativity among other things.
• B vitamins: B vitamins are essential for our brain health because they play an important role in the production of neurotransmitters. These vitamins will help with your concentration and mental clarity, as well as give you a boost in energy levels.
• Maca: Maca root is an adaptogen which means it helps the body adjust to stress and maintain balance. It is a natural way to increase energy as it boosts energy production in the body.

There are also supplements that can help with pain, sleep and even anxiety.  These include:

• CBD:  CBD oil has been proven to help with anxiety, depression and chronic pain.  It can even aid with sleep and helping us to manage stress better by promoting a sense of homeostasis (a state of wellbeing and balance in all our body and mind systems).  You can buy CBD online and choose the application type that suits you best such as gummies, oil drops or capsules.  It even comes in creams and ointments to soothe tired muscles.
• L-theanine: L-theanine has been shown to be a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety when you are feeling super busy or stressed out. It does this by increasing the production of GABA, which is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA has been found to reduce stress and improve cognitive function.
• Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is one of the best supplements to take for relaxation and anxiety when super busy. It is a great way to unwind after a long day and get ready for bed. Chamomile tea has been used as a natural remedy for insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress and headaches. It can improve sleep, calm the nerves and even lower blood pressure.
• Valerian root: Valerian root is a natural supplement that has been used for centuries to help with anxiety and insomnia. It is also often taken by people who are under a lot of stress. The chemical compounds of valerian root have a sedative effect on the body, which is why it is often recommended for people who are having trouble sleeping or are experiencing anxiety.

Another one of the best supplements to take when you're busy are protein and superfood shakes. They're high in calories and can be made with a variety of different fruits and vegetables to keep your healthy eating in check. Choose ones made from high-quality ingredients that will boost your energy throughout a busy day. You can whizz up a homemade smoothie in a few minutes and ensure you are giving your body a boost of natural nutrients, even if you’re too busy for lunch!

Take on less commitments to protect your health

Sometimes, you have to decide whether to let something go. If you're feeling the pressure of all your commitments, it might be time to see how to make things easier. If not, you could end up sacrificing your health.

When you are too busy to care for your health, you are likely to experience a lot of stress. This can lead to serious health problems and even result in burnout. We have to be more conscious about how much we take on and how much we can handle.

You may need to reduce your commitments if you want to be healthy. This includes not only reducing the number of commitments that you have but also how often they occur.  Some things might be easier to cut back on than others, such as a volunteering position or hobby. However, make sure you don't get rid of all the fun things in your life. If you can shuffle around the more stressful commitments, try that first.

One way to reduce commitments is scheduling time for yourself. Literally block out time for yourself on your calendar and don’t book anything else in or let anyone else take that spot. When you schedule time for yourself, it will help you create a healthy work-life balance that lets you enjoy your life more.

Avoid saying yes when you're not sure if you can do it or if it’s not something you will really enjoy. Or simply say no because you are too busy and taking on too much!

We often think that we have to say “yes” to everything in order to be a good person. But the truth is, if you are constantly saying yes, you are not actually caring for your health. Instead of saying yes all the time, it is important to say no more often. When you say no more often, it becomes easier to take care of yourself and your family members.

Final word

We live in a fast-paced world where it can be challenging to maintain our health and wellbeing. But we don't have to feel guilty about not having time for self care because there are plenty of ways to make time for it.

You can't avoid busy periods in your life, but it's important not to get bogged down. Make sure your health doesn't suffer as a result of your commitments, learn to say no and make time for self-care as your health is most important.