Do you feel overworked and exhausted from juggling the demands of everyday life? Sunnybrook’s Siobhan Donaghy, Occupational Therapist, offers some easy ways to optimize your energy and enhance your health and wellbeing.
Get organized. Organizing your space will save time and energy. Use shelving and clear containers to store similar items together like clothing, tools and kitchen gadgets. Be consistent about where you keep things so they are easy to find, and keep commonly used items in easy reach.
Pace yourself. Plan your daily activities in advance and prioritize what is most important. Remember to be realistic about your goals, and always listen to your body. If you are getting tired, even a 10-minute break or walk can give you the energy boost you need to keep going.
Take shortcuts. A little cheating can help you bank up valuable energy! For example, let your dishes air dry or replace multiple layers of bedding with a lightweight duvet. Also, if your laundry room is in the basement, throw the laundry bag down the stairs instead of carrying it.
Use handy tools. Household gadgets can prevent muscle fatigue and strain caused by repetitive movements. Look for things like electric jar openers, portable shopping trolleys and adjustable handles on your paint rollers and mops.
Posture perfect. Change your body positions often and avoid holding objects in the same place for long periods of time. To help protect your back, distribute weight evenly between your two hands when carrying heavy loads like shopping bags. Also, crouch instead of bending over when picking up heavy objects.
Strike a balance. Listen to your body and find a good balance between activity and rest. Take time for some deep breathing and stretching throughout the day, and do so before you become exhausted. Finding pleasant activities to do will help keep you energized and happy!
Siobhan Donaghy, MSc(RS), BSc(OT), OTReg(Ont) is the Professional / Collaborative Practice Leader for Occupational Therapy at Sunnybrook’s St. John’s Rehab.
