For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed as they strive to achieve work-life balancesome experts recommend adopting a “commuter lifestyle.”
Coined by Dr. Jeffrey Karp, Ph.D, professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, the swing lifestyle is defined as a “concept that recognizes the natural ebbs and flows of life and allows you to thrive in the midst of these changes.” the swings.”
“We are rarely in balance…it is simply unrealistic and a anxiety-provoking waiting,” the doctor told Fox News Digital in an interview.
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Seeing the world like a pendulum promotes a more compassionate mindset and alleviates the pressure to be perfect, Karp said.
For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed as they struggle to balance work and home life, some experts recommend adopting a “commuter lifestyle.” (iStock)
With this approach, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” allowing them to feel more “balanced” emotionally, mentally and physically during the day, according to the expert.
It could also empower people who feel “stuck” in the face of daily challenges, he said.
“Looking at nature, there are so many cycles, so many things that come and go, like night and day… the changing seasons, and the waxing and waning of the moon,” Karp noted.
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THE commuter lifestyle involves daily “self-check-ins” where the person assesses their physical, emotional and mental energy levels, Karp said. They can then take immediate action to move their levels in a positive direction towards the ideal balance.
“If we can visualize everything on a pendulum, we can think, ‘What action could I take today to move the pendulum a little closer to where I want it to be?'” he said .
With this approach, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” allowing them to feel more emotionally, mentally, and physically “balanced” during the day. (iStock)
For example, a person with low physical energy might visualize a pendulum with the lowest energy on one side and the highest energy on the other.
He would then perform a “self-check” to identify where his energy level is on the pendulum and what small steps could bring him closer to the ideal balance point, Karp said.
“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebbs and flows of life.”
This might involve taking a 10 minutes walkdo a few jumping jacks or perform a few stretches to move the pendulum to a position of higher energy level.
“It empowers the person and reminds them that they’re not stuck,” Karp said.
Taking a 10-minute walk, doing jumping jacks or performing a few stretches can shift the pendulum toward a higher energy level position, the expert said. (iStock)
On the other hand, if it is late at night and a person needs to relax, they might engage in a calming exercise like meditation or listen to relaxing music to swing the pendulum to a more sleep-friendly level, the expert advised.
The commuting lifestyle can also improve mood, Kelp said. When someone is feeling down, watching a funny movie or practicing gratitude can help shake things up.
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This approach could also help start momentum if someone feels “stuck” in life, the expert said.
“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to being at this place on the pendulum, but that you can take a step forward and be intentional, it gives you so much power,” he said.
The daily check-in process could help individuals identify when they aren’t feeling their best and find ways to move in a better direction, one expert said. (iStock)
Dr. Molly Sherb, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a licensed psychologist at Mount Sinai in New York, commented on Karp’s concept of a commuter lifestyle.
“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to being at this place on the pendulum, but that you can take a step forward and be intentional, it’s so empowering.”
She agreed that the daily check-in process could help individuals identify when they are not feeling their best and find ways to move in a better direction.
“This could include sleeping better or eating a healthier breakfast …to help you wake up tomorrow with better bandwidth,” Sherb said.
Progress, not perfection
Dr. Christopher Fisher, psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital Northwell Health in Queens, New Yorksaid the commuter lifestyle could help those who feel pressured to achieve a perfect work-life balance.
“The pendulum of life experiences – whether emotional, cognitive or physical – is one of the truest expressions of what it means to be human,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“Real well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebbs and flows of life,” he told Fox News Digital.
Sherb agrees that the essence of the commuter lifestyle is that it’s not always possible to achieve that 50-50 balance.
Take a constructive perspective and ask yourself what positive changes or routines can help you reach a more optimal level on the pendulum path, an expert advised. (iStock)
“It’s about constantly tuning in to yourself…and seeing what parts of your life might need you most at certain times,” she said.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a more tailored approach, based on what you need and what the people in your life expect from you.”
4 Steps to Implement the Commuter Lifestyle
Karp shared some specific strategies for adopting the pendulum approach.
1. Perform a head-to-toe check-in every morning
Ask yourself how you are feeling emotionally, physically and mentally. Which parts don’t seem to reach 100% level?
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2. Make necessary adjustments
Based on your self-check-in, consider changing your routine to suit your energy level or taking simple steps to help move the pendulum in a positive direction, Karp suggested.
3. Be compassionate and curious
If you feel out of balance, Karp said to recognize this as part of the natural swing of the pendulum and accept it with compassion rather than shame and criticism.
“It’s about constantly listening to yourself…and seeing what parts of your life might need you most at certain times.”
Take a constructive perspective and ask yourself what positive changes or routines can help you reach a more optimal level on the pendulum path, he advised.
4. Understand your pendulum movements
It might be helpful to ask yourself specific questions, such as the following.
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“What factors contributed to a steady state? »
“What factors contributed to this feeling of imbalance? »
“What small changes can I make today to promote better balance?”
“How did I respond to the feeling of imbalance and was it effective? »
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Above all, says Karp, it’s important to remember that find balance is a “journey of a lifetime”.