‘I start work at 2am and don’t drink coffee’
Sets 10 alarms…ends up snoozing each one. Downs three shots of black coffee before starting work. “Forgets” to go to the gym during lunch. Reaches for the pack of popcorn at 3pm. Buys a latte to stay awake till the end of the working day. Orders home delivery for dinner. In bed by 9pm but ends up tagging friends in memes on Facebook till midnight. And from 5:30pm on a Friday through to Sunday night is purely devoted to wine-time and Netflix.
Whether you only relate to a few of these, or this is basically your own autobiography, we can all agree on the fact that we wouldn’t be able to get through a week without coffee and sleep, especially when kids are included in the picture.
But somehow, just somehow, Sky News Presenter, Jaynie Seal, defies all normalities by starting work at 2am on the weekends (yes, two in the friggin’ morning on her Saturday and Sunday) and doesn’t even drink a sip of coffee. Ever.
Okay, we’re talking about a real living person here, and a healthy one, too for a matter of fact. So how does she do it?
“I choose to invest in my health in a holistic way, more so than spending money on things that are materialistic,” the Australian television presenter told myBody+Soul.
“If I can be the best person to my children, family, friends and colleagues, that is what is important to me. It’s a journey, a long one, but a good one. I believe if you are transparent, true to yourself and continue learning, you are living you best life.”
Although her life sounds pretty hectic juggling between work and family, she also manages to devote time to her one true passion, dancing, which she explains is the key to staying happy (and TBH, sane).
“Sydney Dance Company is my happy place – my escape for 90 minutes. Dance is my love, my passion and I try to do it as much as possible, there are so many benefits to it. It’s good not only physically, but mentally in terms of learning new routines, flexibility, socially and emotionally.
“I strongly recommend whatever your passion is, try not to let it go, even if you can only squeeze in an hour here or there, I truly believe it’s one of the keys to happiness.”
She also finds 10 to 15 minutes of meditation “really beneficial” as it helps her calm her mind and be in the moment.
You’d think between staying motivated to actually get up and go to work before the crack of dawn, to picking up the kids from school, to making sure dinner is all prepared, and fitting in time for a workout, she’d be running around like a headless chook.
Well, she looks like the complete opposite every damn day, and literally looks better than us on a really really really good day. And get this, expensive beauty products aren’t the secret to her youthful looks. Instead, her secret lies in natural products you can buy from the cooking aisle of your local supermarket.
“Instead of moisturizer that can be full of unwanted chemicals, try going to the health food shop and buying a $ 10 – $ 15 bottle of avocado, coconut or olive oil. They’re all natural, organic, and really moisturising, and good to put in the bath too.”
And her anti-ageing secret is an oldie, but a goodie…and is clearly working for her.
“My mum always told me from a young age, your face includes your neck and chest when it comes to cleansing and moisturising and to put the leftover face cream on the backs of your hands as they are prone to ageing, so I focus on these three areas."
Yes, she sounds a bit intimidating knowing that she manages to still enjoy work, finds time to spend with her family, and actually manages to fit in a sweat sesh on the reg. But it’s not that as difficult as it seems and “sometimes you can’t balance it all and that’s okay.”
For Jaynie, all it takes is focusing on mindfulness and self-improvement, making sure to treasure every moment, treating every day as a new one, and keeping these six tips at the forefront of her mind:
- Learn to say no. It can be hard but you need to put you and your family first.
- Have a few very early nights. Sounds boring and sometimes impossible but it can help you re-charge and help you stay on top of things.
- When you can, prepare the night before for that morning dash to school and work. It makes such a difference to our family.
- Talk to your partner, friend, or family member when you are having a tough time. Vulnerability can be a strength, not a weakness, and people won’t know unless you tell them.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff, your true friends won’t care if you have a messy house and it’s fine to have that takeaway meal or a simple cheese on toast.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. We are all unique and will never be someone else. I teach this to my children and think it’s so important in all aspects of our lives.
Jaynie Seal co-anchors Saturday and Sunday Edition and First Edition on the weekends on Sky News LIVE. Jaynie is also a Weather Reporter on Sky News Weather. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @jaynieseal
For more on this topic, this is how a mum lost 51kg and managed to keep it off just by walking. Plus, this is the skin-glowing smoothie Jennifer garner has every single day.
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