Executive Health Program

Health Tips

MAKING A LIVING OR MAKING A LIFE?
Tips on Creating Work-Life Balance from Mayo Clinic

By Robert R. Orford, M.D., C.M.
Director, Executive Health at Arizona

Work hard, show up, and the company will reward and take care of you in retirement. What was once the general practice in corporate America is less common today.

Reality in today's workplace is more like this: You're replaceable, disposable and mobile, and you can anticipate a minimum of five occupational shifts during your career. No wonder we feel like we have to work all the time just to keep up.

So what are the consequences? Serious health and emotional problems in many cases. Studies show that 70 percent of workers say they're totally used up by the end of the day with over half describing themselves as highly stressed. In fact, stress-related illnesses such as cardiovascular problems, sleep disorders, migraines and other headaches, digestive disorders and drug/alcohol abuse account for as much as 75 percent of all doctor visits.

While you're trying to make a living, are you failing to make a life?

Maintaining some balance of activities in your life can go a long way toward increasing productivity and satisfaction at work and can keep stress from affecting your health. Some signs that stress may be affecting your health include:

• Poor diet - overeating, eating the wrong things, eating out too often
• Excess alcohol consumption or smoking too much
• Becoming a workaholic
• Not making time for exercise
• Too little sleep causing extreme fatigue

The good news is that there are some tactics to help you on your quest for work-life balance. For example, make time for activities that support these fundamental questions: What gives your life enduring meaning? What is the purpose in your life? What motivates you to complete your work? What would you be doing if you could do anything today? Focus on personal power rather than just positional power to promote career resiliency, and create a portfolio of values, interests and skills that are portable, marketable and sellable that you can take with you to any workplace.

Don't vacation with the laptop, or you might as well be at the office

Recreation, after all, means "re-create," so plan your away time. Use the precious occasions when you're physically removed from the work arena to direct your energies on tasks of renewal.

Five basic tips for living a balanced and healthy life

• Find a physician you know and trust and have regular check-ups. As a rule of thumb, Mayo preventive medicine physicians recommend scheduling four comprehensive exams in your 40s, five in your 50s, and annual exams after age 60.
• Know your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and be sure your immunizations are complete.
• Eat a healthy diet, take your vitamins, get regular exercise and stay physically fit.
• Emphasize prevention of diseases, rather than detection and treatment, and don't postpone cancer screenings.
• Don't sweat the small stuff ... and enjoy life's pleasures.