Balancing work life and physical well-being is one of those things that sound simple until you actually have do it. It's funny because most us like to think we're managing fine until our body and mind gives a warning that we have been overdoing it.
What we fail to understand is that if we choose to neglect our health for work, we might break down to the point that we might not be able to do that work again for a long time. Our health would determine if we can continue working or not. That is why, regardless, our health should always be a priority.
Finding balance has always been a challenge for me. Often times, due to the pressure from school, internship, and everything else that needs my attention, I find myself busy that I don't realise that hours has passed without proper breaks or resting. On more than one occassion, I have become so focused on doing what needs to be done that I forget that my body needs to be taken care of as well.
At the time of my Industrial Training (IT), I had a time that I felt overwhelmed with what I had going on. Due to getting up early, going to work and then coming home in an exhausted state, the only thing I could do at that point was to find a balance between my personal life and my studies. It wasn't until I got sick that I started to realise how much serious the burnout was and how physically run down I was. I then made it my goal to create more balance between my work life and personal life.
One thing I try doing is moving my body more. I'm not the type to go to gyms, definitely not, but I walk around, stretch and dance to random songs when I need a break. Anything that makes me move a little. It keeps me from feeling stuck and gives me energy to continue what it was that I was doing.
Sleep. Though this one is tricky. I was once confident that I could work efficiently and stay awake for long with minimal sleep. However, I learned through experience that in time the fatigue would take its toll. I attempt to establish a boundary regarding my working hours. Regardless of wokload, if I reach the point where I am becoming overstressed, I will pause working. In most instances, there will always be time to complete the work at a later time, however, one cannot replace their own health.
While seeking balance may have a different meaning for different people, some people can find their sense of peace at the gym, others may find it when they hang out with their friends or are doing something they enjoy. I find my balance by creating time for calm. Like reading a book, watching something or just being quiet for a while. That quiet time helps me reset. Setting boundaries for myself has been a big help to me. It's hard to say "no", when I feel like I need to do something productive, but I've started to learn how to say "I'm done" when I feel like I'm done doing something. Seeting boundaries is one of the best things I've done to benefit myself and has been one of my healthiest behavior towards myself.
I still have days when I need to talk myself down from a busy day because I'm overdoing again, but I am starting to understand that Balance isn't just about achieving the ideal. Understanding how I feel is a part of balance. Balance is caring for myself, understanding when my body needs to rest or take break. Productivity does not always equate to being deplated and tired or drained beyond reason. In fact, for me, the best and most productive way to maximise my efficiency in my work and for myself is to stop, work to breath deeply and take care of the person behind all those efforts.
Image is mine
