This is number four in the series on coping with the challenging economy we're in, particularly if you've been made redundant during this time. I want to encourage you to prioritize your well-being, both mentally and physically. Most of my work centres on People Leadership, and I strongly advocate for self-care to become a better leader, especially when it comes to managing stress.

If you find yourself in a challenging season—especially at home due to redundancy - I highly recommend making an effort to “eat clean”- we are, after all, what we eat. The cleaner and healthier your diet, the better you'll feel physically, and the more confident you'll feel mentally and in terms of self-esteem. On the flip side, it's easy to fall into the habit of self-medicating with comfort food, much like I mentioned in a recent post about self-medicating with alcohol.

Comfort eating can become a way of dealing with stress, especially when you're at home with more free time. It's easy to drop basic disciplines when you're no longer in the routine of going to work, following a daily regime, and feeling the structure that a job provides. That’s why I previously emphasized the importance of setting up a daily and weekly schedule.

If you can, avoid the unhealthy eating habits that often arise from extra time, heightened stress, and the comfort that food might bring. Instead, focus on eating clean and replacing comfort food with healthier practices and disciplines. At the end of the day, this shift will make you feel better both physically in terms of energy throughout the day, and in terms of your self-esteem.

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