To Your Health: Sensible Self-Care Can Help CPAs Maintain Stamina in the Run-Up to Those Filing Deadlines
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY * Long busy-season hours give CPA's so little time for exercise or regular meals that stress can build. This can weaken a person's immune system and make him or her more prone to illness. The overload also can diminish employee performance and lead to low morale, absenteeism and high turnover among staff members. * CPAs CAN TAKE SIMPLE STEPS--both at home and at work--to develop healthful habits that mitigate stress, sustain energy and make staying fit throughout busy season an attainable goal. * TO SUPPORT STAMINA AND CONCENTRATION, a CPA with a heavy workload needs to eat when his or her body signals hunger and keep healthful, high-protein snacks in the office. * A CPA WHO CAN'T GET TO A GYM or hasn't used one can relieve stress by doing small amounts of exercise such as 10 minutes at home in the morning and another 10 minutes after work. Simple, accessible activities such as a brisk walk, a bike ride or boxing/dance moves to upbeat music will work. * IN THE OFFICE, CPAs CAN USE SHORT BREAKS for stretches, push-ups, sit-ups, toe touches and other exercises that don't require equipment. They also can take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk to lunch or to a client meeting. * A PROFESSIONAL TRAINER CAN PUT TOGETHER an exercise plan to help CPAs get the most out of their time and keep workouts safe and balanced. Once learned, routines can be done at work or at home. Long hours, especially from January to April, take their toll on CPAs. Busy season leaves so little time for exercise or regular, balanced meals that what we eat when we get a break may make us more lethargic than energetic. On top of that, the nonstop deadline pressure triggers stress, affecting everyone in the firm--from partners to staff--mentally, emotionally and physically. Such stress can lead to biochemical imbalances that weaken our immune systems, make us more prone to illness and confer a hidden--and high--cost of working in our profession. In the office environment, it contributes to diminished employee performance, low morale, conflicts, absenteeism and high turnover. Staying fit throughout busy season is attainable for everyone, however. Here are some helpful strategies I learned during my six years in the trenches at KPMG LLP. FUEL FOR THOUGHT Some things CPAs can do to mitigate stress are easier than you might think. For example, eating the right foods (particularly those high in protein) strengthens your immune system, lowers blood pressure and stabilizes your energy levels. To develop good nutritional habits that support stamina and concentration, try to * Eat when you're hungry. This may seem obvious, but it isn't common practice. Many busy people go to work in the morning without breakfast or work through lunch because they believe they don't have time for a meal. Eating when you're hungry--not starved--helps to lessen stress and control weight gain. * Keep it simple. Breakfast and lunch don't have to be elaborate to maintain energy. The proteins and carbohydrates in protein bars, fruit, cheese, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs or peanut butter on toast are sufficient. Foods that are complete proteins, such as nuts, meat or eggs, have all the amino acids your body needs to construct new proteins. Studies say they tend to stave off hunger longer. * Don't wait too long between meals. This leads to unpleasant hunger, characterized by headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration and irritability. If you wait until you feel starved, you'll overeat at the next meal. Eat at regular intervals. Set an alarm or use a kitchen timer to signal when it's time for a food break if you're likely to become immersed in your work. * Stop eating before you feel stuffed. Learn to recognize when you're no longer truly hungry. The stomach is about the size of a large baked potato, so a body has met its needs long before a stretched feeling in the stomach signals stop. …