Anyone who works in New York City knows the absolute necessity of balancing work and downtime. Casualties of not getting this mix right can result in insomnia, excess muscle tension (i.e. backaches, headaches, stomachaches, etc), and, as we say in Chinese Medicine, a pervasive feeling of “lack of joy”. Here are my top three “balancing” tips for 2011:
1. Make sure that the ‘to do’ list you make is always up for revision. In other words, its o.k. to make a long list with big plans, but remember, you can prioritize and cross off things as you go along. Maybe even slice it in half or one quarter. Seeing big is great, it allows us to think outside the box, but ‘keeping it real’ is essential to physical and mental health.
2. Make time for days off. At least once a week. Too many weeks with no days off leads to adrenal fatigue—something I see lots of in my practice.
3. Try to see the comical side of situations or people you can not change. Maybe that means the parent/partner/boss/colleague/friend that is blind to your gifts. Seeing things clearly sometimes means looking at them along with another persons perspective, so don’t be afraid to talk with a trusted friend or professional.
I could go on about eating right, getting enough sleep and exercise, but the truth is, that quite often when thing are ‘right’ in our world, we tend to take care of ourselves in the ways that are best. In a nutshell, try practicing these three things first: stay flexible, take regular time off, and try to see the humor in the things you can not change.
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