All About Health

If you have too much to do and not enough time to do it, you're not alone. Women today are the undisputed experts of multitasking, but at what cost to their health? We asked Apprentice star Jo Cameron why it's essential to slow down and smell the coffee...

Our modern lifestyles mean many women have little choice than to juggle multiple roles. They may be mothers, partners and carers while at the same time working for a living (sometimes as the breadwinner) and running a household. Forget tired-all the time syndrome, where many women are concerned it's more of a case of busy-all-the-time syndrome (after all, who has time to be tired?).

And that, of course, can affect your health. Digestion disorders, insomnia, lack of energy, headaches and migraines are just some of the minor health issues experts claim a stressful, busy lifestyle can cause, while more serious problems may include heart disease and depression. Worse still, it’s something very few women who have a job, a family and a social life can easily avoid.

"Stress plays a huge part in people's health," says Jo Cameron, former star of The Apprentice and founder of Jo Cameron High Performance Academy, a company that delivers motivational training programmes and seminars. So how exactly do you find that happiness and take a step back in an age when work, family and social pressures are at an all-time high? Here are some of Jo's tips on how to add some much-needed balance to a busy-all-the-time lifestyle…

1. Put yourself first

Many women put their own health right at the bottom of their to-do list, says Jo. "And that's a terrible idea," she adds. "It's like the lifejacket scenario. When you're on a plane and they're talking about what to do in case of an emergency, they say you should put your own lifejacket on first – if you don't, how can you save anyone else?

Similarly, if you don't look after your own health, then you can't take care of everyone else around you, can you?"

2. Start the day right

If you feel there's never enough time to exercise, forget about going to the gym, says Jo, who knows full well what it's like to be a busy working mum (her daughter Georgia was born last year). "Instead, find a way to work out that's easy and accessible," she says. "My own fitness strategy includes running five days a week – I run two miles a day, and it only takes 20 minutes. "I get up before my baby is awake and before my partner goes to work, and I find it's a great way to start my day. It's about having a good sense of wellbeing and self-worth, and starting your day with that principle in mind."

3. Find time to breathe

If you have an overwhelming compulsion to be busy 24/7 because you feel like a failure if you're not, then Jo has some advice. "I was forced to stop when Georgia was born because I couldn't work while I was feeding her. And what amazed me was that I had my best ideas during those times. I hadn't realised quite how important it was to have space to breathe and think."

4. Take it slow

"Here's a trick I learned some time ago," says Jo, "If you're feeling stressed, just walk slower. Try it – you can't feel stressed when you're walking slowly. Or talk more slowly, which has the same effect." The idea is if you're talking ten to the dozen, it affects your brain, but by slowing down your speech patterns it helps trick your brain into slowing down and relaxing too.

5. Speak to your pharmacist about taking iron for energy

Finally, if you don't have time to eat as healthily as you should, then one of the essential nutrients you could be lacking is iron – and, as Jo says, iron is vital for energy. "Iron is key where women's health is concerned," she says. "We don't get enough of it in our diet. But it's really important as it takes oxygen to your brain." Speak to your pharmacist to see if this might suit you and your lifestyle.

ADVICE TO GO

Pharmacies are an ideal health resource for busy women. Wherever you are, chances are there's a local pharmacy nearby where you can get expert advice on the spot without making an appointment.

As for some of the problems women with busy lifestyles face, here's how your pharmacist can help...

Headaches and migraine

Pharmacists are experts in recommending drugs and medicines, including painkillers, and are especially helpful if you're not sure what type of pain relief would be best for you. Some new brands of painkillers, for instance, are designed to work really quickly, which could be just what you need if you're too busy to take time out.

Digestion problems

The stress of juggling career, family and friends can often cause problems such as constipation, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, your local pharmacist can recommend a variety of remedies that can provide relief, especially when taking time off isn't an option. They can, for instance, suggest a gentle laxative to counteract constipation, antacids to soothe indigestion and muscle-relaxing medicines to relieve the abdominal pain associated with IBS.

Sleeplessness

If you find it difficult to switch off when it's time to go to bed, there are several gentle sleep remedies available at pharmacies (including herbal remedies) that may help you relax and drift off, leaving you feeling refreshed rather than groggy the next morning.

Low energy

Many busy women find it tricky to make time to eat properly all of the time, the result being that they may not be getting the right nutrition – which, of course, can result in low energy. Your pharmacist, however, can suggest vitamin and mineral supplements that may help boost levels of essential nutrients.