by Jim Cermak
With Virtual Events, the world is sitting and staring at a computer screen. Now more than ever, we need solid tips for helping keep everyone healthy and engaged!
My guest is Brittany Liberatore, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Cleveland Ohio, CEO & Founder of Your Life Nutrition, and a Nutrition professor at Case Western Reserve University.
Episode 005 with Brittany – https://tradeshowu.biz/episodes/episode-005-how-to-maintain-your-energy-at-trade-shows-with-brittany-cermak-rdn/
Brittany’s top tips for Virtual Events:
1 – Keep your eyes healthy!
Being in front of a screen so much makes your eyes fatigued. So definitely keep your appointments with your eye doctor to make sure that you are staying well in that regard.
2 – Have a plan for your day.
If you have no plan going into the day all of a sudden you’re just distracted by doing the laundry or doing things that are not necessarily a part of your to-do list during the day, it's really easy for that time to fly by.
So try to map out your responsibilities for the day. I try and do this tonight so I can really wake up and start getting at my to-do list as soon as possible.
3 – Plan time for social media.
Social media is a huge distraction for me and maybe for you too. I found that carving out some time during the day for brakes to check my social media for a set of times is much better as opposed to opening up my social media every single time.
4 – Make time for movement!
Right now most of us are sitting all day. I'm working behind a desk and a computer and especially if you are on the transition to working from home, you’re probably no longer walking down the hall to your co-worker's office or walking to the break room, or walking from the parking lot or around your building. So those ways that we were probably active before and getting steps in and just being you don’t get up and moving during the day may not Be the case. You might be taking about 20 steps from your bedroom to your desk and sitting there all day long. So talk about packing on the pounds.
I start my day every day with a 20 to 30-minute walk. I wake up just a few minutes earlier in order to squeeze a saint before my Dave and get started so that I can help myself feel awake and energized and then I already know that I’ve gotten at least some activity in for the day since I spend a lot of my day sitting.
Maybe you’re able to carve out time in the morning or ride your lunch or maybe another break during the day or even after work to get in and work out or walk.
5 – Take advantage of free online resources and apps.
There are many different free resources online on there have been many apps out there and different online programs that will are offering free Fitness videos and different things like that. Google free workout videos, or you can go on YouTube pretty much find any type of exercise your heart desires on there.
6 – Find an exercise you enjoy doing.
You will stick with something longer if you enjoy doing it!
7 – Utilize your technology.
Many devices like Fitbits and Apple watches have personal trainers and coaches built in that will coach you through a quick workout. I mean how awesome is that? You’ve already paid $200 for a Fitbit and there is a little workout app on your actual device that can walk you through doing the workout.
8 – HYDRATE!!!
I cannot stress it enough. Don’t forget to hydrate. It's so crazy. How time goes past and I realize that I haven’t even drank much water for the day. I look at my water and I’m like I need to drink some so I try my best to fill up my water in the morning.
This is a pro tip that I teach my clients – habit stacking. I'll even try to pair checking my voicemails or checking my emails with drinking sips of water. So it's something you’re already doing during the day of checking your voicemails and your emails and at that same time, you pair that with drinking some water.
9 – Batch your meal prepping
Meal prep needs to be a part of your weekly routine. It does not have to be complicated. You don’t need to see you spending hours in the kitchen every week just in order to meal prep. Literally, meal prep is as simple as having enough food for leftovers. Just make more. So really nobody wants to waste a lot of time in the kitchen during their busy day. I found it So helpful. Did your batch cook on the weekends or even one weeknight where I’m able to make several proteins and starches has some fruits and veggies readily available and cut up so I can Grab & Go with these items to heat them up easily to spend less time cooking every single day and taking my time and attention away from the important tasks that I have to get done?
10 – Have Healthy snacks available
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other healthy snacks instead of the usual junk food.
11 – For your Virtual Events, make Health and Fitness a priority
I think companies who do make health and fitness a priority while hosting their event are definitely going to stand out. I think people really appreciate it even when you Are at an in-person trade show and maybe you’re sitting in on a seminar and they encourage you halfway through to get up and you know ticket to minute stretch break, right? We all appreciate that.
So carving out time even where maybe they have a personal trainer who does a five-minute exercise video, you know, something simple that people can do right at their desks teaching people different on desk or chair exercises. That would be super valuable.
I’ve had companies who have sent me products ahead of time. So once I sign up for the event, they sent me some awesome stuff. I got a water bottle that has a company’s logo on it at a time. So just like we talked about staying well-hydrated during the day and I use this water bottle when I was taking part in the ritual trade show. So again putting the importance on your attendee's health is awesome. And people remember that again, you are going to use something like a water bottle well after your event and you know serves as an awesome marketing tool and that isn’t super expensive so on best lightweight can be easily shipped. Other ideas are stability balls, stretch bands, and exercise resistance bands.
11 – Offer Mindful breaks.
Have quick breaks with a wellness touch. Can be a quick workout, someone leading a meditation, or even a psychologist talking about mental health.
Brittany’s Top Takeaways:
#1 – Set yourself up for success. Meal prepping and planning is a huge time-saver and could be one of the best ways for you to stay productive during the day. Make sure that you have your water nearby.
#2 – Make time for movement. We are sitting more than ever at home in front of a screen and not only is that not good for your body but also for your mind, so make some time to get active during the day even if its short chunks of time that you’re able to fit in during the day.
Brittany’s Exclusive SPECIAL OFFER!
Only for trade show University listeners!!
Brittany is offering her Ultimate Nutrition ebook for FREE. This is only given to her paying clients, but she wants to give it to you at No Cost!!
This e-book includes:
Nutrition 101 information like an explanation of carbs fats and proteins that will help you reach your goals.
Healthy shopping list
A sample meal plan
How to read a food label
An easy 10-minute meal guide
Strategies for dining out
So much more!!
Just send an email to Brittany@yourlifenutrition.org and put E-Book in the subject line!
How to contact Brittany:
www.yourlifenutrition.org
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest – @yourlifenutrition
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About the author, Jim
Jim Cermak has over 25 years of marketing, consulting and training experience, and has planned and worked hundreds of Trade Shows. He gets a little overly excited about Trade Shows, and puts that passion into helping companies get better results!