 "<b>Fit & Proper:</b> The largest cause of stroke is work-related stress")
When Prateek Gogia, a young corporate executive, fainted in office, his colleagues assumed he was exhausted because of work. But, the doctor they rushed him to, informed them he had had a stroke. Gogia was at an enviable position in his organisation. He had reached there through sheer hard work, putting his personal life on the back burner.
For most working people, the dream of having a career and a personal life seems a faraway possibility. This is especially true in developing nations, where professionals frequently work overtime, neglect to take paid time off and are locked in cycles of workaholism. Many executives complain of anxiety, job insecurity, psychosomatic pains, insomnia and sometimes substance abuse and depression. Stress from working too much causes many illnesses, with stroke topping the list.
At Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, we conducted a research to find out "the sources of stress and responses to stress in executives" on a sample size of 2,000 patients in the age group of 30 to 45 years. We found that generally if you tell someone that he or she is suffering from stress and that counselling could help, the first reaction is: "I don't need a counsellor." They argue that they are satisfied with their personal and professional life. But, denial does not help. Making lifestyle changes does.
QUICK TIPS
Make a plan that will stick: And, be specific. Want to exercise more? Detail the time of day when you can take walks and how long you'll walk. Write everything down and ask yourself if you're confident that these activities and goals are realistic for you. If not, start with smaller steps.
Change one behaviour at a time: Focus on one goal at a time. As a new healthy behaviour becomes a habit, add another goal that works toward the overall change you're striving for.
Put your personal health first: A large part of having work-life balance is taking good care of your physical and mental well-being. Eat healthy, get adequate exercise and take breaks.
Learn to manage time well: A poorly managed schedule can lead to work-life overload fast. If you find yourself spending hours doing meaningless tasks or repeating the same tedious activities, perhaps it's time to take a look at what you can do to stop.
Prioritise your family, then work: Create personal time boundaries and stick to them. Ensure you build family and "me" time into your schedule and do not compromise on it.
Ask for support: Accepting help from those who care about you strengthens your resilience and commitment. You may even consider seeking help from a psychologist - even a few sessions can help.
For most working people, the dream of having a career and a personal life seems a faraway possibility. This is especially true in developing nations, where professionals frequently work overtime, neglect to take paid time off and are locked in cycles of workaholism. Many executives complain of anxiety, job insecurity, psychosomatic pains, insomnia and sometimes substance abuse and depression. Stress from working too much causes many illnesses, with stroke topping the list.
At Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, we conducted a research to find out "the sources of stress and responses to stress in executives" on a sample size of 2,000 patients in the age group of 30 to 45 years. We found that generally if you tell someone that he or she is suffering from stress and that counselling could help, the first reaction is: "I don't need a counsellor." They argue that they are satisfied with their personal and professional life. But, denial does not help. Making lifestyle changes does.
QUICK TIPS
Make a plan that will stick: And, be specific. Want to exercise more? Detail the time of day when you can take walks and how long you'll walk. Write everything down and ask yourself if you're confident that these activities and goals are realistic for you. If not, start with smaller steps.
Change one behaviour at a time: Focus on one goal at a time. As a new healthy behaviour becomes a habit, add another goal that works toward the overall change you're striving for.
Put your personal health first: A large part of having work-life balance is taking good care of your physical and mental well-being. Eat healthy, get adequate exercise and take breaks.
Learn to manage time well: A poorly managed schedule can lead to work-life overload fast. If you find yourself spending hours doing meaningless tasks or repeating the same tedious activities, perhaps it's time to take a look at what you can do to stop.
Prioritise your family, then work: Create personal time boundaries and stick to them. Ensure you build family and "me" time into your schedule and do not compromise on it.
Ask for support: Accepting help from those who care about you strengthens your resilience and commitment. You may even consider seeking help from a psychologist - even a few sessions can help.
Bhawna Barmi
Senior clinical psychologist, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
Senior clinical psychologist, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute