If you're finding difficulty in attaining the work-life balance, you are not alone. It turns out to be a huge challenge to prioritize between personal and professional life.
People work long hours at the expense of high-stress level and degrading personal health.
The question arises:
What's the use of those professional achievements which doesn't give any importance to personal enjoyment?
Happiness is not restricted to a good job and better income. It also means to spend quality time with your loved ones, maintaining a healthy body, a good quality sleep, and building a great relationship with kids.
It doesn't mean one can't increase the level of happiness and productivity in this hectic scenario. I had the conversation with Jawon Smith for understanding the ways to restore the harmony in work and personal life.
He is the brand manager of Interhealth, an innovator with products for joint health, sports nutrition, weight management, cardiovascular health, blood sugar control and mood health.
Competitive work life, noisy work surroundings, unhealthy habits have resulted in stressful life. Suggest some ways to reduce a load of stress in life.
Jawon Smith- There are several simple ways we can reduce stress:
Know Your Limitations: We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and it's common for some to overextend themselves by taking on more responsibilities than they can manage. It is important to assess your strengths and weaknesses regularly.
Prioritize to avoid burnout: Take the time to evaluate your responsibilities and prioritize them by levels of importance. Taking on too much at one time adds unneeded pressure and grants room for error.
Establish healthy eating habits: As diet has a direct correlation to our mood, eating the right foods at the right portion sizes can reduce and improve stress levels.
Put down your phone: Over 90% of adults own a mobile phone, checking their phones on an average up to 50 times per day.
Get into the habit of reducing the frequency in which you check your phone. When the urge arises, consider reading a fun article or picking up a book instead.
Desperation for losing weight often makes one vulnerable to wrong advice and bad products. Share some weight loss misconceptions to help people adopt an effective strategy.
Jawon Smith- The "Magic Pill": In today's culture, people often expect simple and quick results. There is no such "magic pill" or single solution for solving weight loss issues.
While there are some well-researched, effective and safe supplements in the market, managing weight has to do with overall lifestyle.
Weight Loss is Consistent: It is normal for body weight to fluctuate. Some days, you may be holding onto more water than other days.
A woman's menstrual cycle can affect weight. Losing weight takes time, effort and significant lifestyle changes. While biological factors play a part, you will succeed over the long term.
There is always a conflict between parents and kids over food. Can you suggest some ways to come at a middle point?
Jawon Smith- Feeding a picky eater can be frustrating as a parent, which is why parents should make eating fun and interactive.
Parents can get their children more involved by taking them grocery shopping and having them help with the grocery selection.
Let your child choose foods that they like, and cater the rest of the meal around that. Involve your child in the cooking process as well.
Children love to feel important and are typically more willing to sample their creations (even when Mom manages to sneak in some veggies).
Desk job brings down the metabolism rate and can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and weight increase. What advice do you have for workers, who sit on their chairs all day long, to burn calories?
Jawon Smith- Get up and move: The next time you have a break, instead of sitting at your desk checking Facebook, go outside and take a stroll. Get some fresh air and sunlight.
Elevated Desk: If it's reasonable, request an elevated desk and stool. It allows you to work standing up when you need to. It also helps with posture and alertness.
Stop parking in the front: Instead of claiming that spot right in front of your office building, park further down the street. It motivates you to walk more. Consider taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.
Some people can't stop eating, even if they are already full. How one can overcome the embarrassment of overeating?
Jawon Smith- Drink water: Sometimes our minds confuse dehydration for being hungry. Having glasses of water throughout the day, especially before meals, can fill you up and keep you from overeating.
Plan your meals: Taking time to map out your meals requires effort. However, when done properly, you can better assess what's being eaten and how much.
Nutritional Supplements: Despite the negative stigma often associated with dietary supplements, there are still several supplements out there that include clinical-studied ingredients designed to reduce or suppress the urge to overeat.
Getting quality sleep ensures that your body functions well throughout the day. What precautions must one take before going to bed?
Jawon Smith- Turn it off: Although it may be easy for some to fall asleep to the TV, the extra noise and light from the TV can indirectly distract the mind.
The same principle applies to other electronic devices. Turn off your TV 30 minutes before falling asleep.
Silence your phone or put it into "Do Not Disturb" mode. Read a book or listen to soothing music.
Avoid eating heavy meals before bed: By all means, resist the urge to eat heavy meals before bedtime. Eating heavy before bed can negatively affect your sleeping quality.
How can you sleep properly when your body is busy digesting that late-night burger you consumed before bed?
Children are excellent at imitating parent's activities. If parents indulge in active activities, there is a good chance their kids practice the same habit. Share some fun ideas, be it indoor or outdoor, to encourage family fitness activities.
Jawon Smith- Parents can lead the example by engaging in physical activities with their children. Incorporating competition into daily routines makes physical activities fun.
Simple things like racing your child to the car or seeing who can clean their room the fastest encourage children to be active without directly forcing them.
Instead of turning on the TV after dinner, take your child to the park and throw a ball around.
Author's note: The information provided in this article is for educational purpose only, not for diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing any disease. Please consult an appropriate healthcare professional before taking any dietary supplements.