Are you so stressed out that you down burgers or instant noodles in front of your computer screen between two meetings? Or do you make do with coffee and a chocolate bar?
Unfortunately, fast food only makes things worse: it doesn't provide you with the nutrients you so desperately need, and your frazzled brain misses out on a much-needed break. How do you expect to remain creative? Our strategy no. 1 is: DO NOT EAT ALONE! Instead, arrange to meet nice people – be it only for half an hour. You'll get a bit of movement and a breath of fresh air on your way to the cafeteria or the restaurant. And there will probably be healthier alternatives there too. And, who knows, a relaxed chat may even trigger a new perspective on your current project…
By the way: for the introverts among us, a date with a favourite tree or a nice park bench can also work wonders!
Your big project is nearing the deadline. It’s late morning or early evening and you're flagging ... It's been a long time since your last meal. In fact, have you eaten at all?
The newsagent’s next door stocks donuts, pizza, and a lonely apple. Your ailing blood sugar level has long settled for the donut ... but after the euphoria of the sugar kick, you feel sluggish again. Our strategy no. 2 is MEAL/SNACK PREP! Even in stressful times, you can take a few minutes in the evening or early morning to put together nutritious snacks or a healthy meal. In a pinch, you can even grab one on your way to work. To defeat your lower instincts, we suggest layering tasty and colourful seasonal ingredients in a mason jar (it looks so much more appetising than in a plastic container!). Depending on the season, you could e.g. try carrots, pears, seeds, celery and cheese. And don’t forget to stock up on healthy treats with a longer shelf life such as apples, nuts or very dark chocolate, so you won't be tempted to binge on starchy and/or sugary treats.
Our final strategy? SHARING HEALTHY FOOD! How about sharing and/or preparing delicious (and nutritious) food with a small group of like-minded people? Sounds like a huge effort? Not if it is once a week and the responsibility is distributed fairly. We find these approaches work well:
● a sit-down buffet: every person brings a small contribution, and everything is shared. The bonuses are many: you're bound to make more of an effort than you would just for yourself, you benefit from the cooking skills of others, and you get inspiration for cooking at home, too!
● a rota system: in twos, you take turns preparing the meal for the group. The benefits: when it's not your turn, you can just sit back and enjoy the food. And when it is your turn, it forces you to get creative. Even without culinary talents, a nice brunch will always be appreciated!
Beyond the culinary variety, it is scientifically proven that sharing food brings many health benefits: social eating strengthens the sense of community and provides optimal support for your physical and mental health.
So give it a try! We wish you good luck...
Picture credits
Cover: Tim Samuel / pexels
Collage 1: pictures from Adobe Stock und Sam Rio / pexels
Collage 2: pictures from Adobe Stock
Collage 3: picture from Fauxels / pexels
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