Work Life Balance

Dear Friends

I have recently noticed that a good number of friends are concerned about their health. I constantly hear complaints about feeling sick, exhausted and depressed. When I interact with them, I almost always discover that they spend the majority of their day working and very little or no time for true rest or relaxation. In the end, they become stressed, stop sleeping well, even though they are tired, and eventually begin developing other physical problems.

These aren't just my own observations. A number of scientific studies have shown that that all work and no play aren’t good for your mental, physical or emotional wellbeing. But that said, trying to balance work and fun can be one of the toughest things to do. It's not surprising when you think about it. From the time we are young, we are taught that doing a good job is important and that working hard will help us get ahead in life. As a result, many of us put too much time into work and too little into play. The good news is that you can actually train yourself to spend more time on having fun, which in the end greatly benefits your health.

Creating a balance between work and play usually involves an increase in leisure time, a process that may be easier than you think. I can show you very easily. Just take out a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle to divide it in half. On one side of the page list all the work and chores you do each day. On the other side of the page, list the things you currently do just for fun. My clients who do this are always surprised to see how hard they work and how little time they spend on healthy, fun and leisurely activities.

The next goal is to balance every work item or chore with something enjoyable. These activities don't have to be a minute-by-minute exchange. They can be small things like a few minutes of stretching, 15 minutes of meditation, a short walk around the block, working on a favorite hobby, or participating in some group activity. The idea is to get away from the grind so that you'll have more space to breathe and enjoy the day. If you keep working toward balancing your list, over time you will find it much easier to create the leisure time that is so vital to your mind, body and spirit.

Creating a better balance between work and play times will do wonders for your health and you'll actually enjoy life more. After all, our main reason for working is to create a better and more pleasant life!

Hope you'll try to my exercise. Make the most of it.

Faculty Development Program in Southern Districts

Vision Unlimited proudly announces its series of public training programs in June and July in association with Bios Labs, Chennai. Faculty Development program for College Teachers by Dr.K.Balasubramanian and Dr. G.Arumugam. June 11th at Tanjore July 2nd at Trichy July 9th at Madurai July 23rd at Coimbatore. For nomination please call Dr. Bala 98400 27810 or Mr.Bharath 7200010216

Mood managing

Dear Friends,

I think it is a fact of life that every once in a while we find ourselves in a bad mood. Sometimes we know why we are in a bad mood and sometimes the reason may not be an evident reason at all. Even though we can all certain experience times like this, it doesn't mean we have to be stuck in them. Bad moods are often an indication that we need to check in with our feelings and do something about them or take action to shift our energy in a more positive direction.

If you are not sure why you are in a bad mood, imagine what you would say if you were allowed a very secret few minutes to complain about anything that is going on in your life. Chances are the things that come up may be tied to how you are feeling. The good part is that once you pinpoint why you are in a bad mood you are in a better position to do something positive about it.

Sometimes when we are in a bad mood, the energy we give off simply attracts more negative things our way. That's why some “bad mood” days can spiral even further downhill with problems and annoyances that appear to validate our discontent and frustration. When this happens, consider doing something nice for yourself. Enjoy your favorite beverage or snack, find a funny movie or sit calm to watch on the tele, or just go for a walk in the park. Allowing yourself the time and opportunity to do something pleasurable is a positive step that could help to break the negative energy and hopefully shift your mood.

Another way to break a bad mood is to go somewhere else. Even if all you do is to get up and make a quick trip to another part of the office or you switch rooms at home, this plan of action can really make a difference. Or better yet, get some exercise. Exercise doesn't just build and tones your body, my friend. It also causes the brain to release chemicals called endorphins that help improve your mood.

And when you're in a bad mood, don't forget about the people around you. If someone reaches out to you, make sure to let him or her know that you are just having a tough day and your mood isn't about them. It's possible that simply telling someone else that you are in a bad mood can shift your energy.

Friends, sometimes we just have a day that isn't so great, but if you find yourself in a bad mood, don't beat yourself up over it. Give these tips a try, and you could be feeling better before you know it! Have a good day. With best wishes.