Design your way

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle when you have a sedentary occupation is important; yet doing so, is not a priority for everyone. Web design is such an occupation. You sit at a desk all day, your work is often stressful, your eating habits aren’t anything to brag about, and you often work long hours and get less sleep than you need.

This may not be a big deal when you are in your 20s. In your 30s, when your design experience has placed you in a lead role, and a role not so fraught with job insecurities, you make think you have it made. You still want to be at your best, but because of your past lifestyle habits, it’s getting harder and harder to do so.

Here’s the question: What are 3 essential things you should do in your 20s that will ensure you are in the best of health and still going strong in your 30s?

Say No to Pizza

If you love pizza, saying no is not the end of the world. You can still have a slice now and then. If, however, you are still munching on pizzas and drinking sodas on the job day in and day out, by the time you hit 30, you may discover your energy level and creative powers are on the decline.

Try this – it won’t hurt you at all:

• Schedule your eating times, and cut out those between meal and late night snacks.
• Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, and seeds, and fish. All of these have a positive effect on your energy resources.
• Cut back on or eliminate sugar. Refined sugar is bad for your brain.
• Web designers will struggle if their thinking becomes fuzzy, and when energy levels decrease, deadlines tend to become harder and harder to meet. Treat your body well, and it will return the favor – in spades.

Avoid Working Overtime

Never allow yourself to become a workaholic. If you do, you’ll find yourself working longer hours while actually accomplishing less in terms of quality work performed. When you’re in your 20s, full of energy, and eager to get ahead, putting in extra hours can pay off; especially when you love your work.

Later on, when your job is still rewarding, but not as exciting as it once seemed to be, and you still find yourself working long hours, you may begin to realize that there are things in life you’re missing out on. The problem is, you don’t know how to get out of your rut. You’ve come to believe the working long hours is the only path to success – or to keeping your job.

Respect your free time. It’s good for you to do so. Free time gives you a chance to keep your batteries fully charged. You’ll come to cherish the extra time you have with friends and family, or to pursue other challenges beside your design work – like hiking or mountain climbing. Since web design is largely a sedentary occupation, spending extra time being out and about will do wonders for your health – and your workflow.

ZZZ ….

Some people are proud of the fact they can get by with 4-6 hours a sleep each night. Others face a difficult day whenever they’ve slept less than 8 hours. We’re all different, but getting enough sleep is critical if you, as a web designer, expect to keep in top form.

Your body needs as much sleep in your 20s as it does in your 30s; but you snap back faster when you’re still in the younger age bracket. Also, as a 30+ designer, you have more responsibilities, and you can’t afford the mental slipups a lack of sleep can cause.

It’s important to get into the habit of cultivating healthy sleep practices. It isn’t something you can do overnight (no pun intended). It can take years. So why not start practicing these healthy sleeping ideas now?

• Put your digital devices away an hour before bedtime.
• Find a technique that helps you relax before going to sleep.
• Avoid caffeine and sugary foods late in the day.
• Don’t sleep over at his/hers place too often. You sleep better in your own bed.

There’s more than a little truth to the last piece of advice. When sleeping in not overly familiar surroundings, our brains remain on the alert. Predators may be lurking nearby.

What Habits Should You Cultivate in Your 20s to Be at Your Peak as a Web Designer in Your 30s?

You naturally want to be energized, quick-thinking, productive, and attentive to your design work. You want to meet your responsibilities head on, and do so successfully. Start working to improve your lifestyle in these three areas now, and you should have no trouble meeting those objectives.

• Pay attention to your diet by learning the fundamentals of proper nutrition. Make it a point to get enough magnesium, fish or fish oil (omega 3 acids.) and other nutrients that will keep your energy level high and boost your brainpower.
• Don’t let working overtime become a habit. It’s easy to do. Organize your work. Focus on learning how to subjectively research form, function, and creativity. Above all, focus on yourself – doing so will add value to your design work and your designs.
• Learn techniques for consistently getting a good night’s sleep. Give yourself an extra half hour once in a while. It won’t be time wasted.

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