Is It Even Possible To Have A Work-Life Balance?

The recent tragic death of a young woman working for a prestigious firm has evoked anguish, with so much being discussed about having a reasonable work-life balance. This highly qualified individual worked for a firm with presumably world-class corporate governance. However, there is only so much the human body can handle; lack of sleep, rest, and proper nutrition can destroy health. It is the responsibility of society and the state to protect the citizens when these things are violated.

People have pointed out that the working environment in modern offices has become toxic and unhealthy. Perhaps they are right. But these are times of great revival in the nation, and a demanding work environment is an inescapable reality. This is the reality of the challenges, opportunities and rewards of the times, and there is only so much the state can do to regulate the modern workplace. So, it's crucial that we, as individuals, take matters into our own hands to protect ourselves and our young.

The first is to examine the work environment. A famous leader of our country was recently asked about what he does to relax, especially with the mind-boggling stress his job brings. His answer is revelatory and inspirational. He said his work was relaxation, an answer that aligned with India's ethos. After all, our forefathers were emperors, merchants and scholars, and we can find their imprints across the globe. Even the most nationalistic Indians of today cannot claim to have surpassed their achievements. They did not have to resort to finding a balance because dharm governed their lives. Somewhere, in the mad rush for modernity and prosperity, we have abandoned principles based on ancient Indic wisdom, so work and workplaces have become so stressful.

But what about life after work, which is supposed to act as a counterbalance? A cursory examination reveals that we are not doing enough to unwind; our activities are contrary. If work brings stress, we should do those things that counteract it. Watching movies on a mobile phone, binge shopping, or binge eating are not solutions. It is not enough to hit the gym; the workplace stress builds up during the day, and even thinking about it in the evening hampers recovery - the mind has to take a meaningful break.

According to a recent article in Harvard Business Review, one method is to detach psychologically from work. The mind has to be engaged in something removed from work. The authors suggest practising mindfulness as a solution.

What did our forefathers do? One way was to practise evening sandhya, a practice prevalent throughout the land. It is performed at dusk, a time for transitioning from day activities to contemplation, of connecting with the Divine. In the past, everyone did it as dharm. The bindings of dharm are no longer applicable today. However, people can embrace proven methods from the past because they can help solve today's problems.

The key is to engage the mind and to train it to stay engaged. In this field, we can be proud of inheriting humanity's treasure trove of knowledge. The time has come to unearth the eternal treasures and profit from them.
Authored by: Raseshwari Devi

03:08

7 Daily habits to follow every night for a sharper brain