Last week, I wrote about the 80/20 rule, which pertains to a balance of exercise and sensible nutrition.  It’s a rule quoted by many health professionals designed to get people to pay more attention to what they eat.  That rule got me thinking about a number combination I often use for myself when I feel overworked and completely exhausted.  I call it simply 8 and 3.

 

My life, probably like yours, can get quite hectic and sometimes it’s all just too much.  For me, it might involve my own workout plan, the fitness goals of my clients, over involvement in school or volunteer activities…and it almost always involve at least one child that won’t go to bed or is waking up during the night.  Sometimes I just need a break…a way to rest and rejuvenate.

 

In a fantasy world, I would take a full weekend to myself and take in some pampering at a spa, or just go somewhere and sleep…but I don’t live in a fantasy world and I’m betting you don’t either.  So, I’ve found my magic formula for rest and rejuvenation…8 and 3.  It’s simple and involves only two steps.

 

1.    Sleep 8 hours uninterrupted

2.    Run 3 miles at a comfortable pace

 

I discovered this formula through years of trial and error and it works for me.  The 8 hours might involve going to bed earlier or asking my husband to deal with any waking kids.  The 3 miles is a distance I can run without over exerting myself – the idea is not to get a great workout, the idea is to rejuvenate my body.

 

Your formula may be different from mine.  You may need 9 hours of sleep and a 20 minute walk, or 7.5 hours and a yoga class.  Whatever your magic formula,  find the right combination of rest and activity and you’ll again be ready to take on the world.

 

 

Until Next Week,

Emily Stapleton