If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that we often reference the idea of “listening to your body.” It’s a concept that seems painfully simple and totally obscure: After all, you’re inhabiting your body 24/7: Of course you’re listening to it. Right? Wrong.

The reality is, we live in a world where our attention is constantly diverted. Just think about your day today – chances are you were paying more attention to the texts you were receiving during lunch than to the way you felt physically and emotionally while you were eating lunch. This is why we all need a little reminder of how to listen to our bodies – and while we’re still figuring that out ourselves, here is how we've learned to do so along the way.

Slow down.

It’s hard to pay attention to your body when you’re doing a million other things at once. So, one of the easiest ways to better listen to your body is to stop doing so much. Maybe this means taking a digital detox; perhaps it’s consciously focusing on one project at a time. Even doing the simplest thing like checking your email less can create some much-needed headspace to better hear what your body is telling you.

Be open to new possibilities.

Ever noticed how scheduled and/or “autopilot” your day-to-day existence is? Tomorrow, try being open to trying new foods, taking a different commute to work or testing out a new, random routine. The kicker: Let your body act as your guide. Maybe it will tell you it’s craving more water versus your usual morning coffee; perhaps it will take you on an ambling walk home from the office versus your usual efficient route. Be receptive, be unquestioning and enjoy the new possibilities your body is opening up for you.

Pay more attention around mealtimes.

If you’ve ever hungrily scarfed down dinner while watching the evening news – and then felt bloated and gross after – then this one is for you. Feeding your body is one of the most important ways you take care of it, but we often fail to pay attention to this critical act. As such, try being  more mindful before and after you eat, taking care to listen to what your body needs (“more greens, please”) while picking up on subtle cues (“you can stop eating, I’m full”). You’ll be amazed at what you begin to recognize and, chances are, you may address some nagging digestion issues, too.

Engage with it!

I find the most effective way to listen to my body is to get moving. Whether this means a long walk, a short sprint or a thoughtful yoga session, moving my body often puts me in the best position to hear what it is telling me and recognize underlying areas of tension, pain or even strength. But the key is doing this all “mindfully,” i.e., without outside distractions. So, if you can help it, avoid checking emails while on the elliptical and try to unplug from the news while on the treadmill. Ready? OK, dance party! 

Okay. Real talk time.  We’ve all had to pull the occasional all-nighter, whether it’s to finish up work, take care of your children or play a video game ( I know who you are!!) In my twenties, I co-founded a marketing agency, and there were a few times where I slept in the office because I thought “I didn’t have time to go home.” So, instead of wasting 1.5 hours on commuting, I would stay at the office all night, sleep for 1.5 hours and then get back to business.

I can’t stress enough how terrible this is for your body. My lack of sleep and incredible amounts of stress were big contributors my worsening autoimmune conditions. What's more, studies have demonstrated that keeping your body awake for just 17 to 19 hours straight impacts performance more than a blood-alcohol level of .1 percent* (the legal limit in most Western European countries). This seemingly innocuous level of sleep deprivation slows a person’s reaction time down by 50 percent compared to a person who is well-rested.  So, if you’re driving your children around, or attempting to deliver a killer presentation, just keep in mind that you’re basically performing drunk.

So, what is the optimal amount of sleep?

It’s not the 8 hours the old adage would make you think. Though every body is different and needs varying levels of sleep and self-care Daniel Kripke, arguably the world’s most accomplished sleep researcher, says people that get between 6.5 and 7.5 hours of sleep per night are the happiest and most productive, and they live the longest. When we sleep, our body is focused on much-needed repair work. It’s the key to feeling energized, looking younger, staying slimmer and having a better functioning brain. On the flip side, too much sleep (anything in excess of eight hours per night) is actually correlated with significantly higher mortality rates.  Though, the research does point to lifestyle factors as contributors. So when it comes to sleep, balance is everything.  

Can we make up for lost sleep?

Many of my clients suffer from imbalanced sleep—they’ll get roughly 4-5 hours per week night and then attempt to “catch up” on the weekends. But, can we actually make up lost sleep?  A recent sleep study found that sleepiness, inflammation and stress hormones all returned to normal after weekend recovery sleep. However, measurements on performance tests that assessed participants ability to pay attention, significantly deteriorated after sleep deprivation and didn’t improve after recovery sleep. That is to suggest, weekday sleep debt can’t be recouped over just one weekend.

So what’s a busy professional to do in order to get the healthy amount of shut-eye?

• Turn off all phones, computers, TVs, etc. an hour before bed. The blue light emitted from them tricks our brain into believing it’s time to be awake.
• Keep your temperature between 65 and 69 degrees, as this is optimal for a sound slumber. Studies suggest that is where our bodies find the best sleep. Rachel Salas, MD, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University who specializes in sleep medicine, cites a National Sleep Foundation study that puts the magic number at 65 degrees. But this largely depends on your body and resting metabolic rate, so test temperatures in this range.
• Cut out cured meats and cheese before bed. They trigger the release of norepinephrine which can make us feel alert and wired.
• Try a few relaxing yoga poses such as corpse pose, relaxing hero pose or legs up the wall pose.
• Enlist a professional. Acupuncture is proven to provide relief to insomniacs. If you’re in NYC, check out my dear friend and DAOM, Dr. Sarah Emily Sajdak.
• Supplement! Melatonin, kava kava, Gabba and valerian root can also help to provide relief from sleepless nights. Don’t self-medicate though: Share your concerns with your doctor or healthcare professional for recommendations that are safest for you.
• Set healthy boundaries. My clients who usually have to pull the all-nighters are often the ones who raise their hands first to volunteer for extra work.  While we know we might have to occasionally accommodate work at off hours, always self-sacrificing to “prove” yourself will only make you ill.  Set promises to yourself about what you’re willing to do and what you’re not.  If cutting into sleep consistently is on that list, make sure you have the necessary conversations to set you up for success in that way. 
• Meditate or do some breathing. Another biggie with my insomniac clients is unmanaged stress.  They come home late and their minds are racing going through the day and all that took place.  When you’re trying to fall asleep it’s important to try and get out of your head and into your body.  A short meditation or breathing exercise like the 4-7-8 breath is a great place to start.  

It's one thing to need a new job. It's another thing to have garden variety the work blahs. You know what we're talking about: You feel uninspired, bored and unproductive. You can't stop staring at the clock. And you can't muster up even the most basic energy to answer that lingering email. 

Don't succumb to this everyday malady -- try out one of these easy tips below. (Missing any? Let us know by leaving a comment on @busyhappyhealthy!) 

Take a new route to the office

It may sound silly, but adjusting your morning commute to the office can have positive, stimulating impacts on the brain. Not only are exercising your analytical and problem-solving skills (how will you get there?), you are stimulating other, more creative parts of your brain by exposing yourself to new environments and new stimuli. Added bonus: You may encounter a cute coffee shop en route! 

Bring flowers for your desk

Sprucing up your desk with some natural beauty may help boost your mood in the short term. Moreover, it may give your space a sense of serenity that could be somewhat lacking with your current assortment of office supplies...

Listen to new music

As someone who loves jamming out while she works, sometimes all it takes for me to get reinvigorated is to put some new tunes on the shuffle. I'm not alone in this observation, as the act of listening to music literally lights up our brains. In particular, I find exploring old and/or "forgotten" music to be particularly helpful when I'm feeling in a rut: Try revisiting songs from your childhood or throw on some classical music. 

Spend some time in the break room or kitchen

Back when I worked for an ad agency, one of my favorite ways to break up work monotony and get reinvigorated was to plop down in the kitchen and have a chat with whoever happened to be eating lunch there. Oftentimes, this would be a person that I never worked with, so it was a nice opportunity to get to know someone new, take a break from the usual colleague gossip and discuss ideas I would have otherwise not been exposed to. 

Take a true lunch break

When's the last time you actually took a full hour and went out of the office for lunch? If you're like most Americans, it was a long time ago; in fact, only 1 in 5 of us actually take a lunch break. Unfortunately, research has shown this can be detrimental to creative thinking, which is why it's important to make an effort to do so -- even if it only happens once every couple of weeks. When you do step out, be sure to use your time in a fulfilling, uplifting way: Maybe it's meeting up with an old friend for a bite; perhaps it's reading in the park or going for a long (cellphone-free) walk. We'll meet you on the park bench! 

When it comes to pursuing a new job, many of us are solely focused on the bottom line: Salary, bonus, equity. No doubt about it, money talks -- and it's a large determining factor when taking a new position. But money, it seems, isn't enough to keep employees satisfied. In fact, a recent study via jobs website Glassdoor noted something we've kind of known all along: Money doesn't buy employees happiness. What can buy happiness? Well, there remains consistent evidence that being healthy -- emotionally, physically and mentally -- are all positive indicators for happiness.

If wellness directly impacts our professional happiness, then, shouldn't be negotiating as rigorously for our health as we are for our money? That's what we think -- and ahead, we're dishing out some of the ways in which you can negotiate a great wellness package. 

CONSIDER MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE

Let these stats sink in: The U.S. is dead last in developing countries for our maternity and paternity leave policies, with only 12% of U.S. workers in the private sector being able to get paid family leave through their employer. Given this dismal state of affairs, it has never been more important to insert maternity and paternity leave into negotiations, particularly if you're planning on starting a family soon. While we still have a very long way to go, companies are increasingly beginning to understand the importance of a reasonable leave and most HR departments will be willing to negotiate (we think 12 weeks paid leave is the goal). 

DISCUSS VACATION AND PAID TIME OFF

So, you may be making the big bucks, but how's your vacation time looking? This is a personal one for me, as I once worked for a company that payed me very well, but offered only one week of vacation in my first year (which I couldn't take until I had worked there for six months!) Not surprisingly, that type of culture didn't bode well for me and I left within the year. (And took a serious vacation!) I use this anecdote to emphasize that getting vacation and paid time off is a really important negotiating point, especially when it comes to mental health. Push for at least two weeks and don't forget to cover sick leave, too. 

EXPLORE TELECOMMUTING AND FLEX TIME 

I have a good friend who just had her first child and was able to negotiate working from home every Friday with her employer. She told me that it's the best thing she's ever brokered -- better than any raise she could have ever asked for. She's not alone; telecommuters consistently report having more control over their schedules, feeling less burnout and stress and being able to spend more time with their families. So, if you're starting a new job and prefer working from home (or have a family and would like that flexibility), make that a negotiation point in your offer discussions.

ASK ABOUT WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Okay, you have a guaranteed bonus. But do you have a discounted gym membership? Seek to clarify the various employee health offerings that are available under your contract, including wellness discounts. Moreover, many progressive companies will lower our health insurance premiums if you take regular fitness assessments -- ask about it! 

I’ve always had mixed feelings about Sunday. Growing up, I was notoriously blue and anxious come Sunday evening – it meant going back to school (and homework), back to sports practice (after only one day of rest) and …back to reality. In my college years, this feeling only intensified, as a weekend’s worth of work often loomed over my head (alongside a mild beer hangover), and Sundays were often spent cramming late into the evening at the library. And throughout my twenties, my “Sunday Scaries” only intensified: Adult realities like returning to work, paying bills and generally “figuring my life out” all seemed insurmountable come Sunday evening.

While I still get the Sunday blues from time to time, I now see Sundays in a more positive light. For one, while my Saturdays are usually filled with social engagements, errands and to-dos, I seem to spend Sundays in ways that are much more thoughtful, restorative and mind clearing these days. Moreover, I now structure my Sundays in a way that gets me prepped – and dare I say excited – for the week ahead. Ahead, I’m sharing just some of these ways – how do you spend your Sunday?

MEAL PREPPING + COOKING

We’ve talked about the benefits of meal prepping on this blog before, and let me tell you: I consider it to be a form of therapy on a Sunday. It gets me organized, it releases stress and it adds a sense of control and certainty to the ensuing week. That’s to say, it’s great knowing that in the coming days, I have items readily on hand for lunch, snacking and even dinner – a boon if you’re a busy person like me. Furthermore, meal prepping is a must-do if you’re trying to stay healthy and keep your budget in check, as it eliminates the need for that last-minute takeout.

Along those lines, cooking on a Sunday is a great tradition to get into, especially if you suffer from the “scaries": It gets your mind off of the week ahead, it gives you an outlet for creativity and it is just a really nourishing act. Added bonus: You have all weekend to shop for a Sunday dinner, so there’s no excuse about not being able to get to the supermarket.

CATCHING UP ON WORK…

This may sound like the most depressing use of a Sunday ever, but hear me out. Putting in a couple of hours of work on Sunday can make a world of difference come Monday morning, since you’re already ahead of the game, so to speak. Furthermore, peeking at your email (or workload) on a Sunday feels infinitely less overwhelming when you know that your boss or client isn’t breathing down your neck. So, the next time you’re dreading going through your inbox on a Monday morning, try starting the process on a Sunday – I promise you’ll feel more relaxed come the start of the week.

…OR TOTALLY SHUTTING DOWN

On the other end of the spectrum, I often reserve Sunday (or parts of Sunday) for a total shutdown of my usual communication channels – emails, texts, et cetera. This can be a liberating and relaxing exercise; one that helps to clear your mind and get you ready for the onslaught on communication for the week ahead. Try doing this for an hour in the beginning, gradually working your way up over time.

MAKING A TO-DO LIST

Come Monday morning, the list of must-dos suddenly feels insurmountable. But oftentimes, it’s hard to even parse out what it is you need to do versus what you feel like you need to do. For example, if you’re in the process of looking for a new job, you may start your week thinking, “I need to start finding a new job this week.” Which is a totally overwhelming statement – and one that won’t get you anywhere, either. Instead, try making your to-do list on a Sunday, when you’re feeling the most clearheaded and relaxed. Be as specific as possible and try putting dates / timelines next to each item. (In the case of job searching, maybe that means something like, “Monday evening: Contact old colleague with resume.”) You get the picture…

INDULGING IN SELF-CARE

We just covered self-care on the blog; coincidentally, many of our recommendations are a great way to spend a Sunday. Whether this means coloring like a kid, having a spa day or taking a time to practice some meditation, earmark the last day of the week to give yourself some love.

HAVING LOVING AND RESTORATIVE CONVERSATIONS

Which brings me to my final (and favorite) way to spend a Sunday. In lieu of wallowing in your sorrows, use this day to catch up with friends and family. Whether it's a walk with your BFF or a phone call with your mom, these weekly check-ins about life can really help provide clarity when you’re feeling frantic or overwhelmed, plus they help you contextualize the problems that you’re facing. After all, you probably aren’t the only person who is stressed about having to go back to work.