Long days and jam-packed agendas might tempt you to raise your white flag, but don’t give up just yet! There’s still one more day of the 2018 ATA Trade Show and you don’t want to miss it.
Before you can take care of your business, you must first take care of yourself, because without you, where would your business be? Use these five tips to recharge your system so you can power through day three of the Show at full speed and full strength. Do it for you - and your business!
Remember to keep drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated. Sipping on a cup of green tea or eating a piece of fruit can give yourself a small pick-me-up from natural sugars. Photo Credit: Heather Koehl.
With 216,750 square feet to cover and hundreds of people to connect with, you’re probably tired and stuck with cotton mouth. To boost your energy and satisfy your thirst, you drink soda, coffee and energy drinks. Well, you may want to monitor your intake levels and switch to water. These drinks contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar. While these ingredients might give you a quick burst of energy at first, the effects will soon wear off, leaving you feeling more sluggish than before.
According to Jody Braverman, a personal trainer and Livestrong contributor, “eating a nutritious diet and drinking plenty of water is a better way to promote long-lasting energy and health.” She recommends drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated and suggests sipping on a cup of green tea or eating a piece of fruit to give yourself a small pick-me-up from natural sugars. Can’t live without your beloved Dr. Pepper? We get it. Enjoy one and then grab a water bottle on your next trip to the concession stand.
Properly fuel your body with high-quality carbohydrates like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole-grains, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, turkey and select cuts of beef. Photo Credit: Heather Koehl.
Sticking with the concept of health, if you want to feel your best and have fuel for your day, you need to give your body proper nutrition. Although a burger and fries may hit the spot, be sure you aren’t eating greasy foods at every meal. Health guru, Rachel Nall, explains that greasy foods cause indigestion because of their high-fat content. Indigestion is the burning or painful sensation in your stomach that often leads to bloating, nausea and fatigue.
Balance is key. If you’re going to splurge at dinner, try to eat a healthy lunch, or vice versa. Properly fuel your body with high-quality carbohydrates like beans, fruits, vegetables and whole-grains, and lean proteins like fish, chicken, turkey and select cuts of beef. Carbs provide long-lasting energy while protein helps replenish tired muscles and bones. Already order a pizza or the fried chicken basket? No worries, just eat a small serving size, which allows your stomach more time to break them down, decreasing your chances of indigestion and fatigue.
Explore Visit Indy’s microsite for restaurant suggestions and more. And if you need a quick fix, fill up on fruit, granola or a protein bar. You’ll be glad you did.
It's ok to take a break once in a while. That floor is quite the space and it's a lot to traverse in 3 days. Photo Credit: Heather Koehl.
It takes thousands of steps to visit every exhibitor at the 2018 Show. Those long walks and hours of standing may have your feet praying for relief. While it’s nice to take a seat every once and a while, a simple foot massage can help reduce stress, increase circulation, promote better sleep, and alleviate tired and aching feet. Give it a try!
Natural Living Ideas explains how to give yourself a therapeutic foot massage for free in five steps. One, bend your leg to rest one foot on your opposite thigh. Two, use your thumbs to massage lotion or massage oil into your whole foot including the toes, arch and heel. Three, use the knuckles of your hand to apply more pressure. Four, gently pull your toes back and forth or apart to stretch the muscles underneath. Five, repeat on the other foot.
Exercise mindfulness, meditation or a deep-breathing technique for 10 minutes and reap major benefits. Photo Credit: Heather Koehl.
With two days of fast-paced business excitement and networking opportunities under your belt, your mind is probably racing. Give your brain a break and try to clear your mind for a few minutes. Exercise mindfulness, meditation or a deep-breathing technique for 10 minutes and reap major benefits. These activities allow your mind to relax and focus on the present moment, which helps reduce stress and promotes a happier, healthier self.
According to WebMD, deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. The website recommends beginners try a belly breathing exercise. Try the technique now using these guidelines. Simply sit or lie flat in a comfortable position. Put one hand on your belly just below your ribs and the other hand on your chest. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and let your belly push your hand out. Your chest should not move. Breathe out through pursed lips as if you were whistling. Feel the hand on your belly go in, and use it to push all the air out. Repeat three to 10 times, taking your time with each breath.
Get plenty of rest tonight. Sleep reduces stress, spurs creativity, sharpens your attention, and improves your memory and immune system. Photo Credit: Heather Koehl.
We get that you’re go-go-go at the Trade Show, but sleep is not only beneficial to your overall help, but it’s also important to help you perform and function your best. Now that you’ve given your stomach, feet and mind some TLC, it’s time to give your body a break and get some rest. Sleep reduces stress, spurs creativity, sharpens your attention, and improves your memory and immune system.
A Gallup poll found 40 percent of Americans get less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. The Trade Show is tiring and demanding enough. Don’t bear another day without enough sleep. Mingle with coworkers or business connects for a bit and then respectfully tell them you’ll catch up later because you need to catch some zzz’s. Then, make a beeline for the bed. HuffPost.com offers science-backed ways to fall asleep fast in their 2016 article. Take a warm shower, put on a pair of socks, hide your alarm clock and cell phone, and turn your thermostat to a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll be out before you know it.
Incorporate these five tips into your day and you’ll wake up refreshed, re-energized and ready to conquer day three of the 2018 ATA Trade Show. Start off by attending a seminar from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. in rooms 130 to 139. And, if you haven’t already, be sure to stop by the Member Services Area to check out business-boosting programs and services for your shop.
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