I recently came across this article about work-life balance. The article says to give up on it, it is not achievable in today’s world so you might as well not even try, you will just end up feeling bad when it does not happen. While I think there is a lot wrong with this premise (mostly the corporate environment that has made white collar work the new sweat shops) I do acknowledge that it can be difficult to strike a good work-life balance. The problems with this are numerous but the one that concerns me, as a health care provider, is the impact that this type of lifestyle has on people’s health.
Stress/Anxiety/Depression
Working like this is a perfect recipe for mood disorders like anxiety and depression and creates a great deal of stress with little room for activities to diffuse that stress. Anxiety and depression alone can have a tremendous effect on your life and wellbeing and costs this country billions of dollars in health care lost wages. Stress has been linked to many diseases ranging from diabetes to heart disease to metabolic syndrome and more. As the article states, if you don’t stand up for yourself, no one else will.
What You Can Do
One tip from the article is a very good one, schedule yourself. Schedule social time, phone calls to friends and even time to read or watch TV. If you put it on your calendar and get into a routine, you are much more likely to do these activities.
Use my 15-minute tool. Take 15 minutes a day (and set a timer so you don’t get subsumed) to do something you continually put off but know needs to be done. Like the piles of paper on your desk that you walk by every day or that closet that has not been cleaned out in 10 years. Every time you see these things and tell yourself in the back of your mind that it needs to get done and don’t do it, you are subtly beating yourself up. You will be amazed at what just 15 minutes a day can do to even a large project like a basement. You will notice a significant difference in 1-2 weeks, and you will feel so much lighter.
Say NO! Bosses have their own problems, pressures and stress. They don’t have time to worry about yours. If they keep giving you things to do and you keep doing them, they are thinking “Wow, they can handle a lot!” They don’t realize you are about a minute away from having a breakdown. Even if you end up doing the project or assignment, sometimes saying no at the start can make your boss realize and appreciate your work more.
How Acupuncture Can Help
Acupuncture can help reduce anxiety and depression. Typically, weekly treatments are needed at the beginning but after a course of 10-12 treatments, your body will naturally be able to process the pressure that you are under better. Acupuncture reduces stress hormones in the body and can induce the body to produce stress reducing hormones. This powerful combination will decrease the impact that stress has on your body and your health.
What are you working for? Most often it is to provide a good home and life for your family. But when you are doing that at the expense of you and your family’s quality of life and fulfillment, not to mention your health, it seems downright counter intuitive. We only get one shot at this, take care of yourself and make it count!
Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!