Finding harmony between work and personal life is crucial, especially for healthcare workers facing high-stress environments daily. As this post is being written during the 2024 Olympic Games, I have been reflecting on how this balancing act is much like that of an Olympian, who must juggle intense training with necessary rest to achieve peak performance. In both situations, achieving balance can be challenging.
Although I have never been an Olympian, I am definitely a busy physician with a busy family. Identifying ways to truly achieve this balancing act has been difficult throughout my career. I have had some horrible times, but I would like to believe I am currently getting better at it. Let’s explore how healthcare workers can learn from Olympians to achieve a healthier work-life balance.
The Olympian's Approach to Balance
Olympians balance intense training with essential rest periods. This cycle ensures optimal performance and recovery, highlighting the importance of rest in achieving peak physical and mental states.
This lesson has taken me a long time to figure out. I used to believe that I always had to be connected at work. When I am honest with myself, there were a few reasons for this that all had to do with fear. I feared that if I let someone else step in, I would let my team down, and that someone might realize I wasn’t good enough. I probably had more fears as well, but these are the top two. I also didn’t quite know how to let go and rest. I had multiple experiences of pushing so hard that when I would finally rest, I would actually get sick. With that cycle, though, I could never improve.
Now that I have learned how to purposely rest, I find that I actually get more done. Just like an Olympian can push to the next level of training after rest, I can be more creative, strategic, and focused after a period of rest. Additionally, when rest is intentionally planned, I know when I can push for those harder things and know that I will have recovery time.
Although there are many things involved in ensuring balance, there are a few important steps involved in order to really have the time for rest and recovery:
Setting Boundaries
Time Management
Building a Support Network
Mindfulness and Stress Relief Practices
Scheduling Rest and Recovery
Setting Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time is essential. Healthcare workers should prioritize maintaining these boundaries to prevent work from encroaching on personal life. Although this can be hard at first, setting a boundary also means prioritizing myself, which will then let me show up better at home and at work.
Effective Time Management
Prioritizing tasks and managing time efficiently are key to achieving balance. Utilizing tools and resources can aid in better time management. Each of us has a system that will work for us. The key, though, is prioritization and intentionality in the task at hand.
Building a Support Network
A robust support network of family, friends, and colleagues is invaluable. Seeking support from mentors and professional networks can further aid in achieving balance. Some of my best mentors have been able to tell me that I needed to take time for recovery. They were also able to tell me that I might be taking on more than I should if I wanted the ability to recover.
Mindfulness and Stress-Relief Practices
Integrating mindfulness techniques and stress-relief practices into daily routines can significantly enhance well-being and balance. There is not just one right way to practice mindfulness. I used to think the only way was meditation, but there are so many ways to be mindful.
Incorporating Rest and Recovery
Scheduling regular breaks and time off is vital for rest and recovery. Engaging in restful activities and hobbies can provide a much-needed respite from work stress. Recently, my family has committed to ensuring that everyone has a vacation planned by the time we get back from the current one. This ensures that we always have recovery or rejuvenation time to which we can look forward.
Achieving work-life balance is a continuous journey, much like the training and rest cycle of an Olympian. By setting boundaries, managing time effectively, building support networks, practicing mindfulness, and incorporating rest, healthcare workers can find harmony between their professional and personal lives. Striving for this balance is key to sustained joy and fulfillment in both realms.
Let's embrace this balancing act together and support one another in finding our harmony. 🌟
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