Ten Tips to Recharge Your Batteries and Avoid Burn Out

10 Tips To Recharge

woman holding fork in front table

With the pandemic winding down in most places, we are all faced with the idea of going back to the workplace more often, or, at least, having a real, actual meeting with our teammates instead of a Zoom call. For some of us, staying at home has been energising. For others, it has created a sense of overwhelm. Regardless, we have all taken on more responsibility since Covid began, and many feel like they are burning the candle at both ends.

 

Food is your fuel, so what you put in you body can directly affect your energy levels. Atrium’s resident nutritionist has some great tips to help you recharge your batteries. We chatted with our resident nutritionist and chef to find out what she recommends to help her clients stay energized throughout their work week.

Chef Barb, what are your top tips to help people have more energy as they get back into heading back to work?”

” Sometimes, it can be not just about what you eat, but how you prepare it.“

thumbnail_image019 Barb Sheldon

Here are my top 7 things to help make your family dinners and work lunches a little easier: 

  1. Before you eat, before you cook, breathe. Send a signal to the troops that all is well, which should shift you into rest and digest mode, helping you absorb your nutrients more efficiently. 
  2. If you cook at home, get organized in the kitchen. Have a family member help you clear the clutter so you can think like a chef. Get rid of anything that does not serve you when you are cooking. You do NOT need that ceramic chicken on your counter! Get rid of it. A professional chef has a cooking area that is efficient and free of clutter. Do an edit of your drawers and cupboards and donate anything you will not use to cook simple meals. 
  3. Create a workspace that has ease, just like in the office. Put a chef’s mat under your feet where you stand to help you conserve energy in your feet and back. Choose a chef’s knife that feels comfortable in your hand and keep it sharp. Keep prep bowls and utensils nearby so you can save your energy by not moving around so much when you cook. 
  4. Get help. Enlist family and friends to help you prepare and serve food. Plan a week of basics like roasted chicken breasts, bone broth, chopped veggies and a nourishing dip that is free of additives and full of anti-inflammatory ingredients like ginger and olive oil. 
  5. Learn what gives you energy, and what takes it away. Generally, food that is brightly coloured, that comes from the earth and that is raw or lightly cooked contains the most nutrients. You don’t have to have a nutrition degree to know what food is good for you. Our ancestors didn’t. Eat food that comes from the earth, as often as you can. 
  6. Replace coffee and tea with water. You may not be able to give up the caffeine, but staying hydrated is a significant way to increase energy. So get a water bottle, keep it with you all day and then for every cup of caffeine you consume, drink an extra glass of water on top of your two litres per day. 
  7. Pay attention to your digestion. How do you feel after you eat? If you are bloated, tired, gassy, or have trouble with bowel movements, it may be time to seek help from a qualified professional to help you rebuild your microbiome and ensure you have strong, healthy bacteria in your gut.  When you eat, chew your food, SLOW DOWN, be grateful for your food and appreciate tastes and smells. This will shift you into rest and digest mode, allowing for more optimal absorption of those much needed nutrients. Plus a little gratitude never hurt anyone.