Work, Health and Your Life Balance

Which sounds better? 1) “All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. 2) “Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” (Liane Cordes) What do you think? Continuous effort or engaging in play? They both sound pretty good to me . . . do we need to compromise one to enjoy the other? It’s easy to say “No, I can have it both ways,” but then responsibility and pressure catch up with us; continuous effort becomes a heavy strain and Johnny doesn’t only turn dull, he goes out of his mind with the stress, which then turns into ulcers, high blood pressure and eventually he’s hit with a heart attack while un-jamming the photocopier. Illness is western civilization’s favorite relaxation technique, but it’s also destructive and hard on the body. When your life-work balance isn’t level, it’s not only your lifestyle that suffers, but your body and mind as well. So to deal, here are a few tips for stopping stress-sickness before it develops: * When lunchtime comes, leave your desk. Take the time to eat a healthy meal and digest properly. That lunchtime meal is vital to help you continue during your day and be able to enjoy yourself after work too. Don’t worry, the projects will still be there when you return to your desk. * Turn your phone off after a certain hour or when out with your family. Some jobs require you to be on call, but if not – then turn off the phone. A load will lift from your shoulders, which is good for your blood pressure and your state of mind. Also, it’s great to feel happy, and spending uninterrupted time with loved ones is a good step in the right direction. * Take a rest break. If you don’t take time to rest, your body will find its own way – like breaking down and getting sick. Instead plan a 20-minute fix at various intervals to recharge your batteries while at work. Go to your office or somewhere you won’t be disturbed and set a timer for 20 to 30 minutes. Get comfortable and let yourself fall asleep. Don’t worry, the alarm clock will wake you up. The best part of all this: when you wake up, you will be refreshed and recharged. (This may sound a little crazy, but in places like Taiwan and China it’s standard practice to nap after lunch. Offices will turn their lights off while employees sleep at their desks.) * Take holidays. Your productivity will actually go up after you have had a holiday. When you forego holidays your energy reserves begin to run out. Week after week of the same stressful routine without a break can lead, again, to illness, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and all sorts of other difficulties. So please, when you have a long weekend or a holiday scheduled, be sure to take it! Contrary to popular opinion, letting yourself rest isn’t for slackers. There are some really successful (and famous) people who have followed the napping routine (e.g., Bill Clinton and Thomas Edison). You snooze, you don’t lose; instead your body will thank you. A good life-work balance means better health all around. It’s an idea that’s worth your attention.