Five Health Tips For Event Planners On The Go

As an event planner, you’re probably used to doing several hundred things at once while running on little more than fumes. Ignoring the demands of your body in order to focus on keeping the show running is probably old hat to you. On some level, you’re aware that what you do probably isn’t the best course of action if you want to stay healthy…but you’ve so much to do, you don’t really bother thinking too much about it.

You probably should.

For one, it’s been proven time and again that your mental well-being is tied directly to how well you care for your body. A physically healthy individual will be more alert, less irritable, more able and generally just better off overall. On the other hand, someone who neglects their health will likely see them self become sluggish, unfocused, and easily agitated; to say nothing of the detriments you might start to see as you age.

In short, if you ignore your health enough, your performance as an event manager will suffer along with your personal life. So…basically, what I’m saying here is slow down. Take it easy. Start following these five health tips before you work yourself into an early grave.

Don’t Overdose on Caffeine

I’m sure I’ll make a few enemies by saying this, but caffeine might well be one of the most dangerous and insidious drugs to ever achieve widespread acceptance in our culture. Many men and women are completely unable to function without their daily cup of coffee, and whether you’re professionally employed or self-employed, it’s not hard to find yourself falling to the temptation to forego a good night’s sleep in favor of a java-fueled flurry of late-night activity. I’ve done this myself on more than a few occasions.

This is terrible for you.  Too much caffeine – particularly without sleep – can greatly increase your risk of heart attack or stroke as you age; it also comes packaged with the guarantee that somewhere down the line you’ll suffer a devastating crash which will send your productivity through the floor. If you must consume coffee to function, limit yourself to a cup or two in the morning.

Manage Your Stress

When I was in University, I ran a large charity event for one of the clubs I managed. It was one of the most stressful times. I didn’t even get so worked up about my final exams. Although this was the first event I’d ever run and I thus had absolutely no idea what I was doing, I’m sure most of you are no stranger to stress in the line of duty.

After all, running an event can be an absolute nightmare, particularly when it comes down to organizing large groups of volunteers and participants.

While a little bit of stress can actually be good for you, too much aggravation can completely derail your productivity.

Thankfully, keeping your stress levels down is a pretty easy thing to do. Set aside a bit of time every day during which you can unwind. Read a good book, take a nap or meditate, jog, swim, or spend some quality time in the steam room; do whatever you find most relaxing. Your mind (and body) will thank you for it, and you’ll find you’re more effective as a result.

Keep Your Diet In Check

You probably don’t have a lot of time in your day, particularly in the weeks leading up to an event. It can be very tempting to go for ‘quick fixes’ such as McDonalds when it comes to meeting your nutritional needs. After all, it’s both faster and easier than preparing your own meals, right?

Don’t do it.

I’m sure most of you have heard of the Super Size Me documentary, where a man ate nothing but McDonalds for a month. Not surprisingly, his health went straight into the toilet. See, the thing about Fast Food is that it’s probably one of the worst things you could possibly cram into your body. That includes ‘healthy’ choices like Subway, by the way.

So….what can you do, then?

It might seem like a hassle, but set aside a bit of time each evening for meal preparation/meal planning. While I get that you might occasionally need to consume the odd burger or sub, don’t make it a habit – poor nutrition can lead to lethargy as easily as hunger.

Hint: research healthy restaurants or health food stores near to your event venue. 

Watch Your Posture

This one’s pretty simple, and doesn’t just apply to event planners. Chances are there are quite a few of you who spend most of your day sitting. I’d further posit that most of you don’t pay anywhere near as much attention to your posture as you should. That’s going to lead to some serious health problems down the line.

So…just make sure you’re sitting properly, there’s really nothing more to be said.

Make Time To Exercise

This is another one that doesn’t just apply to event management professionals. The sad truth is; we as a society are more sedentary than at any other point in human history, something which is absolutely terrible for both our bodies and minds. Make sure you schedule some time into your day to get a bit of exercise, even while you’re planning an event.

Trust me – you’ll be more alert, more cheerful, and generally better off for it.