When Things Don't Go As Planned

I was traveling recently and this provided a reminder of how it's not always possible or desirable to keep to a rigid plan.

Habits and Routine

Habits and routines are places in our lives where we have made decisions, and we can use those past decisions to save time and to make smarter choices. Make a habit to get exercise at a certain time of day, and it starts to feel like the natural thing to do at that time. Go to sleep and wake up at predictable times, and your life starts to take shape around that schedule.

Deadlines

Hard deadlines are a frequent reality. Meeting or attempting to meet these deadlines brings stress, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition.

Here are some strategies to handle these:

• Plan recovery time after the deadline. Before the deadline, work took priority. After the deadline, you need to take priority if you're going to keep up your output. Let yourself sleep enough. Choose nutritious food rather than junk food. Move, and get back onto your regular schedule after you've recovered. 
• Even if you've dialed back on exercise, still try to get enough sleep in the time leading up to your deadline. If you're having trouble even sleeping enough, you probably shouldn't be doing heavy-duty exercise. Light movement will help keep the stress under control.
• Do eat. If you don't have time to eat, still prioritize vegetables and protein. 
• Take occasional breaks to go for a short walk, get some fresh air, recenter your thoughts. Then get back to conquering the world or filing your TPS reports. 

Introduction

"Who am I? Why am I here?" In these words of a vice presidential candidate from many years ago, let me introduce myself. Fitness and health are topics that I have thought about for over 25 years. I have a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, but in the background I have been continually concerned with physical and mental health. I've learned a few things. Chiefly, that when faced with the complications of life and demanding work, it helps to focus on priorities to make the most efficient use of your time. I'm hoping to use this site to explore and elaborate on what I've learned.