... keeps the doctor away. We hear and read a lot about work-life balance, working from home, flexible working hours, employee benefits here and there. But is it always enough to demand this from employers without questioning our own way of life? Shouldn't a certain amount of harmony in our lives be a personal goal?
An Apple a day…
Every day, we sleep, organize our free time, and, as standard, work five days a week. The day has 24 hours, which we divide into three blocks:
- Sleep: Regeneration --> Recharge your batteries
- Work: Personal productivity --> Secure your standard of living
- Free time: Sports, culture, time for yourself, family, friends --> Create balance
Each block has eight hours. If one block is neglected or another receives too much attention, I achieve an imbalance. This isn't a problem now and then, but it's unhealthy in the long run.
If I work too much over a long period of time, I have less time for leisure or I don't get enough sleep. If I don't get enough sleep, I'm not as productive at the office, I lose concentration and make small mistakes.
As a result, employees, including myself, are dissatisfied with my performance. I take my frustration home with me after sleeping little and working a lot. This leaves me with no time to create balance and process everything. Worse still, I take out my frustration on others during this phase. This discontent often manifests itself in our eating habits. We don't have time to cook for ourselves or eat healthily, so we order food, heat up packet soups, and eat crisps and chocolate on the sofa. At some point, our bodies give up and we get sick. The days spent in bed allow us to rest and recover. Unfortunately, we now have no time for leisure or work. Silly? Of course! At the office, others take over your work and end up working overtime, becoming unbalanced, dissatisfied, and ill themselves. Your appointments are canceled, you can't go to the gym, maybe you manage a short walk from your sick bed, but that's it.
So take care of yourselves, create your own harmony—it's not about focusing everything on work—it's about you. Stay healthy and happy.
A few tips from me for you
- If you can, ride your bike to work! It's a great way to stay active and switch off from work on your way home. I sometimes take different routes home. It's a chance to discover new things, experience change in the city and enjoy nature – switch off your mind and engage your senses. Or get off a few stops early and walk the rest of the way. Get up and move around at work too.
- Cook for yourself, try new things—our supermarkets offer so much variety! Bake bread without a mix, whip up a delicious cake—it's all very easy and not difficult at all, and practice makes perfect. You can conjure up great things in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients.
- Find a hobby, something you can immerse yourself in. Maybe something without a screen, if you sit in front of one all day at work. Your thoughts will stay focused on your hobby and won't wander.
- Last but not least: nothing is forbidden, it's all about moderation. Sugar isn't unhealthy if I use it in moderation, fat is a flavor carrier, and if I drink a glass of cola or beer now and then with all the water I drink, that's fine too.
All the best!
Stephan Probst
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