Stress is the norm in a media planner’s life. The deadlines, dealing with client idiosyncrasies, project planning and business development, the invoices that need to be sent out, the long nights spent stuck in the office, the long hours attending to legwork tasks… Need we say more?
That’s why it’s crucial to be on the lookout for your health and be one step ahead of your biggest adversary – yourself. The way you abuse your own body and your sanity may not take its toll today, but in the future, it definitely will.
Here are three simple ways you can take better care of yourself:
Sleep better. If you’re like most media planners, we’re betting you’re not getting a full 8 hours of sleep a night. So stop the bad habit and make it a point to catch even just an hour of sleep more. The optimal length of sleep that will allow a person to function at their best is anywhere from 7 to 8 hours a night. So learn to say “No” to one more after-work drink, learn to set a dinner date curfew and go home early enough to make time for 7 to 8 hours of zzz’s.
Breathe. Yes, breathe. Not nicotine-tinged air, mind you. In an anecdote we came across years ago, a lady challenged her smoker officemates to learn to breathe deeply, and without the kick of their nicotine sticks. They realized they felt better, thought more clearly, and had an overall better sense of well-being. So when you feel like you’re reaching your saturation at work, stop. And feel the air fill your lungs. Exhale with relief and comfort and see the difference it makes in your day.
Find your happy place. Seek pleasure. Well, we’re not telling you to get addicted to Boracay vacations or expensive Spa massages. Let’s face it – more expensive does not necessarily mean better. If there’s anything that’s more satisfying, it’s actually the simpler stuff.
Is it spotting a flower in your favorite color as you walk the manicured gardens of Fort Bonifacio? Is it staring at the flowers of the Fire Tree as you pass them by on your way to work or a client meeting? Is it the warmth of the sun at 3 PM? Is it the aroma of Ceylon Tea, no matter what brand and how much you bought it for? Simple pleasures make life worth living. Make a point to cultivate an ability to spot and appreciate these things and moments and savor these mini-highlights of your days.
Do your job excellently. Man was created to be productive. That’s why we get a high when we succeed. As you keep your body and mind healthy, you prime yourself to remain on top of your game. So seek health, and you’ll be rewarded with a truly wealthy life – a life that’s abundant in every way!
Happy weekend, everyone!
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Photo Credits: BeeCharms' Success
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