8 Tips For A Productive Day

Often when cancer strikes, our routines change, our daily lives change, and life as we once knew it shifts a bit. Since coming off of a full-time job, I have had a difficult time keeping myself in a routine and finding fulfillment along the way. I had to decide to be very intentional about my days. Some days this just simply doesn’t work when I am not feeling well while other days require the consistency so that I will actually get out of bed.

These tips work well for me the majority of the time, but some days I simply have to just listen to my body when it requires rest. Here are 8 tips for keeping myself productive at home on the good days. So, here goes...

#1) Keep a consistent morning routine

I have found that I rest better at night when I wake up around the same time every day. Some days I need to set an alarm to keep from sleeping half the day. Take a shower, make your coffee or morning beverage choice along with breakfast as if you are going out for the day and have somewhere that you have to actually be.

#2) Get organized

I often have to make my bed so that I won’t go get back in it. Again, someday I just need to, but on good days, I make my bed, straighten up my home, do any dishes leftover from the night before, start any laundry that needs to be done. Having a put together home often helps me to feel organized and focused on other things that are on my list of items that I must do that day.

#3) Get dressed

Get out of your PJs and sweats. Make sure you are comfortable but being in PJs and sweats all day makes me want to lounge all day. I often tend to feel better when I get dressed. Sometimes getting dressed for me is simply putting on real clothes while other days involve putting on a bit of makeup and doing my hair. Those are the days that I feel the best. I am not sure what makeup does, but it seems to work for me.

#4) Make a schedule

Schedule out your day. Write out your to-do list to keep yourself on track. Write down everything you need to do that day. Write out your home chores, phone calls that you need to make, emails that you need to send, bills to pay, errands, a grocery list if groceries are on your list.

I have found that scheduling my day helps to give me a sense of productivity as well as fulfillment. In my full-time work, I was a list maker and felt great reward when I was able to mark something off of my list. I have carried that over into my new life at home and it has been effective.

#5) Connect with someone

Take a few minutes to connect with someone via phone or email. Meet a friend for coffee if you choose to go out. Reach out to a family member that you haven’t spoken to in a bit.

Sometimes just a short little connection with someone can completely lift your spirits especially those friends and family members that offer great encouragement and support. You know who those people are in your life.

#6) Get moving

Try to stay as active as you can even if it is just for a few minutes. If you have stairs in your home utilize those for exercise. Do what you can and in moderation as to not overexert yourself. Exercise can often serve as an anti-depressant and has the potential for an easy mood boost. If you can’t get outside or even to a gym, there are numerous low impact home workouts online that you can do from the comfort of your own home or wherever you may choose.

#7) Get some vitamin D

Most of us have to be careful with this one as the sun is not our friend thanks to side effects of medication causing us to burn more quickly than without medication. I try to go out and sit on my porch for about 15 minutes when I can or do something in the yard for a short amount of time. I love the sun but have definitely had to scale down since being on medication. After the winter months, the warm sun feels absolutely amazing, but also in moderation.

#8) Meal planning

Keeping organized when it comes to meals also helps me a bit. I tend to get overwhelmed trying to figure out what to cook to for dinner, getting the ingredients, and then forgetting one key ingredient, and then that meal goes bust. The chemo brain often rears its head even when organized and making lists.

Lately, I have been using a meal subscription service that brings me recipes and all of the ingredients to my door. I must say that it is very nice and I have enjoyed it very much. The companies that offer oven-ready and slow cooker meals are even a greater plus.

Finding fulfillment and living intentionally

These tips have worked for me along the way and serve as only a guide. Some days I hit all of these plus a few and feel super productive, while other days I don’t hit a one and guess what that is just fine too. We aren’t given more than one day at a time anyway.

I hope you found some value in these tips. May we all find our fulfillment and intentional living on the journey.