“Work to live, don’t live to work” is a
saying I hear so much these days. And so often I meet people who are completely
burnt out from working all hours, a lack of sleep, eating fast/convenient foods
and not taking the time to rest or nurture themselves.
I completely support high achievers and
admire career driven individuals who thrive on success. I do however hugely
encourage everyone to create a healthy work/life balance. Making time and
space to relax, give yourself a little TLC and feed yourself nourishing,
live and vibrant foods is so important.
I have lived in the London rat race and
know first hand how easy it can be to slip in to an unbalanced lifestyle that
in the long run is unsustainable. So here are a few suggestions I have learnt
along the way for living healthy on the go…
Hydration
Hydration Hydration
Keeping hydrated is absolutely fundamental
to maintaining your health. Ideally we need to be drinking at least 2 liters of
water each day. This will simultaneously help with the flow of key minerals in
to your cells while aiding the elimination of toxins. Drinking this much water
can help clear headaches, retain concentration and keep you awake. Trying having
a pint of water instead of a coffee and see how you feel…
TIP: If you travel a lot, particularly on
airplanes, it is especially important to keep the water up. Flying is one of
the most dehydrating things we can do to our body so really bug those air
stewards for regular water top ups.
Meals
on the Move
Finding truly healthy foods when you’re
grabbing a bite from a local supermarket, deli or train station can be really
difficult. Often the options include poor quality ingredients on soggy white bread.
Take a well-known supermarket (who shall not be named, but my Dad calls them
Mordor) meal deal, a sandwich, a packet of crisps or choc bar and a fizzy drink
for a few pounds… it hardly screams ‘healthy’ to me.
- I suggest preparing some wholesome snacks on a Sunday ready for your busy week ahead. A trail mix with dried fruit, nuts and seeds will fill you up, contains essential fats and vitamins and can be carried around easily. Or make oat and nut bars, store them in an airtight container and take one with you each day.
- One-cup smoothie makers are perfect for a morning mineral and fibre injection. Blend up fruit and nut milk with your favourite superfood powders or use it for making a portable chia pudding.
- Make a big batch of soup that can be divided in to portions and frozen. Then grab one each day to heat up in the office.
- For me fruit is the ultimate snack, there’s nothing better than a juicy nectarine or box of blueberries to satisfy a hunger pang on the move.
-
Tanyas Café – Chelsea, London
-
Sweet Greens – Bournemouth,
Dorset
-
Café Kino – Stokes Croft,
Bristol
Yoga
on the Train
Yes you heard me, I did say yoga on the
train.
Last year I went to Colourfest Yoga
Festival and met Eugene from AcroYoga Brighton. He taught us about his
fantastic idea of fitting exercise in to your life even when you think you
don’t have time.
Now, I’m not talking about headstands in
the aisles or down dog on the seats, but you can often find space in the
corridors or near doors to do some stretching, a few back bends or even a
cheeky warrior pose. You might get a funny look or two but be
brave, your body will feel the benefits far beyond the blush that your cheeks
feel!
Sophia Harvey is one one of the owners of the successful online health food retailer DetoxTrading.co.uk and is currently studying to become a nutritional therapist with the nutritional healing foundation. Complementary therapy has been in the Harvey family for four generations, Sophia's great grandfather being one of the UK's first Osteopaths.
