Work vs. Life

I was recently speaking to a Women in Law group. They had requested a program about stress management from the perspective of balancing work and life. After talking about time management (managing priorities), we were lead to the obvious concern about what is essential for a happy, healthy life. I listed the following areas important for your consideration.

Remember, making time and putting energy into these areas for your healthy life will actually save you time and energy in the long term. You must plan your time to include these various areas in your busy life. Some of these areas will not be actively pursued daily or even weekly, but you need to schedule them into times in your life when appropriate.

Planning your life is easily overlooked. You probably plan your Christmas party more thoroughly than you really plan your life. Remember, you deserve this and no one else will make these plans with your health and happiness in mind.

Career and Work...Taking Care of Business

If you have a plan, it will work out better. Just remember that you can never control all the factors, so be ready to let go and not take it too seriously. Unless you are involved in a life threatening activity, stay focused and take necessary risks, without fearing a life-death scenario. You always have choices. Do not allow yourself to feel "painted into a corner." Boring jobs are stressful and potentially unhealthy, so consider your options if you find yourself in a work situation that is not using your full potential. Even if it takes time to investigate and then to retrain or get things organized, you can make efforts to move yourself into a more positive situation. It helps to focus on the end goals and results as you move along your path.

Money and Finance

Security, recreation, and personal development all require attention to your finances. Though you can not buy happiness, you may suffer without sufficient funding. Warning: Be careful that money, and even security, do not become overly worshipped as an exclusive use for your time and resources.

Health and Self-care

Wealth means nothing if you do not have your health. Prevention and health maintenance is worth every bit of time and energy you use. Today, more than ever before, we must take good care of ourselves, not just for survival, but for quality of life and increased productivity. The efforts will save you time and energy.

Family

Not every family is perfect. In fact, most families are dysfunctional and quirky. When you are born into a family, you may not feel that you had a choice and can even have difficulty relating to other family members. Even though your family may act like they just dropped in from Mars, they are family. If you do not have a family or access to your family, then make one of your own. A close knit connection for support is what we all require. It takes effort but there are times when you can be there for them or they will be there for you. Very few people could actually be full fledged hermits. But remember, we each have different needs and requirements for intense family relationships. Some times we need more contact and sometimes we need more solitude... Allow for your needs in every stage of your life.

Friends and Social Connections

Almost everyone needs friendship and support that comes from outside your family. Even with a close knit supportive family, we sometimes need the perspective that a good friend can bring. To have close friends, you need to be a good friend. Unlike family, people can walk away from friendships and this offers the opportunity for you to work things out with friends if you feel that the relationship is a healthy one and worth this effort. Protect yourself from negative and costly emotional ties to family and friends.

Education and Intellectual Development

If you do not use it, you will lose it. The mind is a horrible thing to waste. People who are engaged in learning and growing are healthier both physically and mentally. Do not give up on life or yourself. There are so many things to learn and not enough to learn them all, so work consistently down the list (and keep adding to it.) Remember, it is OK, in fact, healthy to turn off the TV and read a book or have a conversation that expands your base of knowledge. Better still, take a class. Get Challenged!

Spiritual and Aesthetic Pursuits

There are places, objects, rituals, people, or experiences that can bring light to your heart and reasons to move forward. Do not forget the importance of your spirit to your health and well being. Even if it is only a few moments to appreciate the sunset or a breath of fresh air, find time and create the space for your heart to celebrate life. It is more a feeling than a thought for most people. Bask in the warmth and light of your blossoming spirit.

Creativity and Hobbies

People are usually curious and creative. Allow for time and activities that allow you to celebrate the range of emotions that come from thinking new thoughts, making new things, or being deeply absorbed in passion. Do not be too harsh in your self-judgments. Celebrate your attempts and your efforts to create.

Emotional Growth and Well Being

"When we stop growing we start dying." We never have all the answers, but it is important to be searchers of truth. The frontier that we all have, deep within us, is ourselves. Search your limits of mind, body, and spirit. Get support from healthy fellow seekers or at least have people to share your new insights with, and you will gain the perspective that makes the trip more exciting. There are times when we need support or even professional assistance. Find a great person to work out your issues with. (Professional therapist, coach, clergy, or counselor... check their credentials if you do not trust their approach. Do not believe that everything that is said to you, applies to you!)

Fun and Recreation

Life without fun and activity may be less rewarding. We need to make time for fun. We often have to set the stage for fun. It helps to invite other people to share in this fun. This make great memories. Continue to make memories. Recreation is a necessity. People actually die of boredom. Children who do not have stimulation often die or have developmental concerns. Watch babies, poppies, kittens, and baby mammals and you find them engaged in play for learning and development. I am told that laughter in healing... and I believe this to be true.

If you know anyone who has had their quality of life or health adversely affected by stress, please consider sharing these thoughts with them.

Thank you.

Along the way, please take good care of yourself.