6 Proven Ways of Prioritizing Health for Workplace Success
Uday Kotian – was working on his desk when his manager – Sheetal, called him into her office. Although he knew his latest project was due and the deadline was two weeks away – he just walked in casually.
“Uday”, – Sheetal began in her serious tone, “I appreciate your dedication and hard work, but your health seems to have taken a hit recently. I’ve noticed your energy levels dropping and your performance slipping”.
Uday was surprised. His heart sank further when Sheetal said –
“You have two options. Take a break, prioritize your health, and come back. Or, I will have to terminate you from the office.”
Uday left the office with a heavy heart.
Since his early days, Uday was a driven and dedicated financial executive. Known for his exceptional analytical skills, he was a rising star in the company. He had always pushed himself to the limits to excel in his career thus earning promotions and accolades. He achieved all these often putting his health on the backburner. As years passed, Uday’s health began to show signs of neglect.
Over the next few days, Uday reflected on his journey. He realized that his single-minded focus on work had cost him dearly – his health, happiness and now, potentially, his job.
There are currently millions like Uday who either face the risk of loosing their job or have already lost. Just look at the depiction of the rising cases of non-communicable diseases in India.
What stands between you and your health?
In India, work’s a whirlwind – it’s fast and competitive. And on top of that, the Indian workforce is tremendously success driven. It’s like a high-speed train hurtling towards its goal. The drive to achieve is so much that climbing the career ladder is not just a goal; it’s a way of life.
Amid your routine work and meeting deadlines, there are some sneaky barriers that can seriously mess with your well-being at work.
- Everyone’s got the notorious time crunch. It always feels that 24 hours a day is just not enough. Deadlines always loom like dark clouds, and you barely have a second to grab a breath, let alone having a hearty meal or taking a walk.
- Who has got time for a walk when there are emails to be sent and targets to be met? We have all been there – glued to our screens, sitting like statues all day long and sometimes night too, now referred to as the “desk potato syndrome”.
- Work related Stress is a monster that lurks around every corner. Tight project timelines, meeting sales targets, demanding bosses, and the constant juggling of everything can leave you feeling like a pressure cooker about to blow.
- The sad desk lunch phenomenon is way too real. You will be either skipping meals or munching on some ready-made snacks while typing on the laptop like a madman, and the next thing you know, your mealtime has vanished into thin air. Nutritious meals? They are like Oasis in the land of fast food and microwave lunch.
- A good night’s sleep has become a distant memory. Late evening office hours to the unending scrolling of Instagram will seriously mess with a well needed rest. And trust me, those dark circles and zombie-like mornings aren’t doing you any favors.
All these barriers can be easily overcome if you put in that little extra effort amid your busy routine, and guess what? Recognizing the fact that you’re not prioritizing your health is the first step in the process.
But how do you show some love towards your Health?
6 Ways that Promotes Health for Long-term Career Success
Get Physically Fit
Having a fit body is not only attractive but also boosts your self-confidence. It is one of the easiest ways to stand apart from colleagues and get noticed. Incorporate some kind of physical exercise that helps both your body and mind get the stimulus it requires. Run, jog, do yoga or lift weights – perform one or more as per your preference. But,
Exercise with an intensity that helps the body release the magical hormone called Endorphins (among others). It is a “feel good” hormone that not only makes you feel good from within but helps in reducing stress, relieve any pain and improves well-being.
Research has proven that exercise not only improves body fitness but also improves performance in other areas of life. Why wait? Get that body moving.
Focus on what you eat
Eating the right food seems to be simple, but it is not. “Right food” has different meanings to different people. For some, just avoiding sugars and processed foods seems right. And for others, sticking to home-cooked food seems right.
Both may not be wrong, but we hardly focus on the nutritional aspect of the food we consume.
What our body requires is a balanced and wholesome diet. A balanced diet has vitamins, nutrients, complex carbs, fats, and protein.
Eating a balanced diet helps steady your energy levels throughout the day – helping in sustained productivity and mental focus. Moreover, a healthy diet contributes towards maintaining healthy weight, supporting immunity, and improving overall well-being. So, when your plate is filled with fruits, veggies, proteins, and whole grains – it isn’t just a balanced meal, it is your secret weapon for vitality and success.
Quality Sleep
What happens when you sacrifice your good night’s sleep for scrolling those Instagram posts or partying with your friends?
- Makes you sick more often.
- Gain unhealthy weight.
- Makes you prone to diabetes, heart disease and other serious illnesses.
- Leads to poor decision making and decreased focus.
- Impacts communication and relationships in workplace.
And you thought it is only about getting sleepy throughout the day and a headache at max.
You can reverse all the above negative impacts by just giving the rest your body needs. Maintain a proper sleep routine and keep your sleeping area free from distractions – like sound and light. When the darkness sets in, a sleep hormone called melatonin is secreted which helps sleep better.
Meditation and Mindfulness
The internet is flooded with videos and articles on Meditation and Mindfulness. While both are related, they are not the same.
Meditation is focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to achieve an emotionally calm and stable state. It can be as simple as repeating a mantra or just sitting outside the balcony and quietly watching the world go by.
Mindfulness is being aware in the present moment without being judgmental of things around you. Some ways to practice mindfulness are mindful eating, mindful walking, or even mindful conversations with others.
In today’s high pressure work environment, practicing these techniques works as a stressbuster. It helps assess complex situations clearly and helps you focus on tasks without letting your mind wander off to a thousand different places.
You are training your mind to acknowledge all thoughts and emotions without judging – and this helps you to respond to things instead of reacting impulsively.
Emotional Support from People
We all go through different stages in life at different times and these changes influence our behaviors. We may go through tough personal situation, like a break-up or death of a close family member. Or we may experience uncertainty or job insecurity due to economic or organizational reasons.
All these factors can significantly impact our physical and emotional health. Feelings of isolation can set in and intensify leading to decreased work performance and burnout. And without a support system, things can snowball to affect our health.
Social support system refers to a network of people – friends, family, or colleagues – that we can turn to for emotional and practical support in times of stress. It acts as a safety net against unexpected and uncertain situations of life.
While receiving support from colleagues during challenging times is crucial, actively offering support to others is equally important. When you empathize or understand your colleagues, it contributes to a nurturing workplace environment where people feel understood and valued.
Social support isn’t a one-way street. When to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to a co-worker, you create a positive ripple effect.
In essence, the act of giving support is a win-win. It uplifts others, creates a supportive atmosphere, and boosts your own sense of fulfillment. Social support, whether given or received, is the cornerstone of a thriving work environment where everyone’s well-being matters.
Get Regular Health Check-ups done
High pressure work environments can take a toll on our health. On top of that, if you add long work hours, sedentary behavior, and unhealthy lifestyle habits, you are creating a perfect breeding ground for diseases inside your body.
Regular health check-ups are equally vital for old and young employees to ensure long-term well-being.
Health conditions can develop silently and without obvious symptoms, especially in younger individuals. Regular checkups help identify potential issues at an early stage, increasing the chances of successful treatment and preventing the progression of diseases.
Regular checkups help in getting personalized advice on maintaining a balanced diet, exercise routine, and stress management techniques. These habits can help employees lay a strong foundation for a healthy future.
Light’s out, but Health’s in…
As we dim the spotlight on the topic, remember that health is not just for the weekend. A workforce that prioritizes health is a workforce that thrives. Investing in our well-being is like investing in our long-term success. The journey toward success is a marathon, and to reach the finish line, we must ensure that our health remains a steady companion throughout the race.