Having trouble balancing your health and your work life? Here is some advice for women

Is there such a thing as work-life balance? Many women may argue that work is also a part of their lives, so why call it work-life balance? So, to be clear. Work-life balance can be restored — LIFE BALANCE.

Women take pride in being able to multitask and wear multiple hats at the same time. Women are now present in all spheres, whether it is homemaking, high-profile management, profession, passion, social work, or politics. There’s the traditional job of getting married, having and raising children, doing household chores, and caring for the elderly. Overall, women, today must strike a balance in their lives like never before.

Is there such a thing as work-life balance? Many women may argue that work is also a part of their lives, so why call it work-life balance? So, to be clear. Work-life balance can be restored — LIFE BALANCE.

Women take pride in being able to multitask and wear multiple hats at the same time. Women are now present in all spheres, whether it is homemaking, high-profile management, profession, passion, social work, or politics. There’s the traditional job of getting married, having and raising children, doing household chores, and caring for the elderly. Overall, women, today must strike a balance in their lives like never before.

Our bodies have a unique rhythm. They function best when fed at the appropriate times, given adequate uninterrupted rejuvenating sleep, moderate regular exercise, and plenty of positivity.

Menstrual and reproductive issues are becoming more prevalent. It is not uncommon for me to see college girls with body image issues, including new acne breakouts, rapid weight gain that is difficult to lose, unwanted facial and body hair, and a variety of mood disorders. The polycystic ovarian syndrome has been linked to lifestyle, and it is as much a lifestyle disorder like diabetes and hypertension. Changes in lifestyle, stress, career moves and relocation can all cause heavy or light periods, irregularities, and pain during periods. Women who work for MNCs in other time zones (more than 4 hours from IST) are more likely to develop weight problems and hormonal imbalances after only a few months. Constant VDU use in air-conditioned chambers with little or no exercise causes a variety of issues, including repetitive stress injury, sleep deprivation, mood disorders, and, of course, weight gain.

Another major source of concern is that women with high-flying careers who want to advance professionally tend to postpone childbearing until their late thirties or early forties. With this delay comes a slew of unavoidable challenges, such as low egg quality and quantity in the limited ovarian reserve. Pregnancy in this age group can be more taxing on the body. Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are all pre-existing conditions that complicate matters. Chromosomal disorders are more common. They require more follow-up, blood tests, and ultrasound scans than younger women, which they may be unable to complete. Menopause is another difficult time in a woman’s life, with mood swings, hot flashes, and urogenital symptoms interfering with her quality of life and work.Most women work until they reach retirement age, and they may face a variety of challenges such as empty nest syndrome, the loss of a loved one, or caring for the elderly.

With that in mind, how can we make things better for ourselves? The following suggestions may be useful as a starting point for achieving a better life balance:

Recognize that certain jobs are incompatible with a healthy work-life balance.

o Accept your limitations as they are.

o Take charge of designing your life in the way you want to prioritise it.

o Set boundaries for all chores.

Make good habits a part of your daily routine.

o Set aside regular times for mindful eating and stick to it (pack up boxes with salads, fruits and protein)

o Look for opportunities for moderate exercise on a regular basis (taking the stairs, walking to work)

o Get enough uninterrupted sleep by staying organised and disciplined (do the ironing, pack school bags, delegate tasks)

Organize and delegate

o Networking begins at home (ask hubby to help with homework, ask mom to help with chopping)

o Assign individual tasks to people and ask them to report back; make this a habit.

o Seek assistance from coworkers and keep them on your good side. Treat them on occasion.

Separate your home and work life.

o Forget about work once you’ve passed through the office door.

o Focus on home and children without distractions at other times.

o Put your phone away for a few hours each day when you’re at home.

o Work from home during school hours and turn off afterward.

Taking time for yourself

o Dedicate a few hours of your weekend to yourself, such as an hour at the gym, a run, or a meal out with family or friends.

Every day, set aside time for relaxation and meditation.

o Investing in a spa treatment or massage

In management, the ‘Five-ball concept’ refers to our life priorities: work, family, health, relationships, and spirituality. In practise, a mortal being can only handle two of these balls at once, while the other three are in the air. Time and coordination are delicately balanced. Less important priorities could be thought of as rubber balls that can bounce back and be incorporated into the juggling cycle. However, the top priorities, which are analogized to glass balls, are liable to break if not addressed. This analogy assists us in determining our top priorities. To save time, it would be prudent to combine two spheres into one activity. A family day out trekking, for example, could combine health and family. A yoga class combines spirituality and health. The opportunities are endless.

As women, we have the responsibility and prerogative of designing our lives and the lives of our families in order to instil discipline, skills, and independence in our children. We can find the freedom to take control of our lives and live them the way we want. Our careers and families are in jeopardy unless we are healthy. Finding joy in one’s work and purpose in one’s family and life are worthwhile pursuits. Our happiness may have nothing to do with finding balance, but rather, as John Irving writes, with discovering a way of life we enjoy and having the courage to pursue it.

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