How to create an effective work-life balance...

Have you ever caught yourself slouching at your computer in the afternoon? Leading edge research shows that not only does less than optimal posture increase the likelihood of experiencing pain or stiffness, but it can also alter your energy and moods.

San Francisco State University Professor of Health Education Erik Peper, Ph.D., found that simply altering body posture to a more upright position can improve mood and energy levels.

“We tend to think the brain and body relationship goes one way. In fact, the passages go both ways,” Peper says.

Slouching in the workplace can often be a sign of overwork. Work-Life balance can easily become a throw away term these days, but being mindful of this important component of wellness is more important now for everyone than ever before, especially for small business owners, solo-preneurs or people working in vital team rolls where there is often high demands for their time and performance.

The term Work-Life balance does not have to mean taking week long holidays, or three day weekends (although these can be nice from time to time), but more and more these days people are looking for practical ways they can bring balance into their day to day lives.

With the World Health Organisation publically stating that 66% of chronic illness is stress or lifestyle related, the time is now to take work life balance seriously.

Here are some ideas you can implement today...

1. Micro-breaks

Taking a 3-5 min microbreak to get up from your desk each hour or two, have a glass of water or a healthy snack will enliven your mind and body and help to maximise focus and productivity.

2. Mini-Breaks

Taking a Saturday or Sunday to go for a drive out of town with a friend or loved one to explore somewhere new can be most refreshing and revitalising, can enrich key relationships, and can work well on a budget too.

3. Avoiding mental fatigue

Turning off the TV to go for a short stroll in the evening will often help to clear your mind and mean you get a better night’s sleep.

Implementing one or more of the above strategies is a practical way you can take control of your energy levels. No body likes an area of their life to be energy neutral (or energy poor). The time is now to make a difference and have more energy richness in your life.

Pain, stiffness, fatigue, headaches, and feeling flat or down are most often warning signals – messages to our conscious mind to let us know that we need to stop and look at ourselves, our posture and our life differently.

In the same way it is not wise to ignore a warning light on our car, it is also not wise to ignore or deny warning signs when they are showing up in your physical body.

If you are currently experiencing changes in posture, stress, pain or fatigue, (even if you perceive them to be minor) the time is now to consult with your local practitioner of Network Spinal Analysis.

The same way that it is wise to have your teeth checked by your dentist, having the relationship between your spine and nerve system checked at least every 6 months is good for everyone and good for a lifetime - especially if you have one or more of the warning signs listed above. Are you overdue?

About the Author – Dr Alex Rodwell is an Author, Speaker and the Founder of Life Expressions Network Spinal Analysis Centre in Auckland.

For the past 12 years, Dr Alex has been studying everything he can about health, healing and maximising human potential.

To ask Dr Alex a question, or receive your very own copy of our free 7 page report on ‘Posture and Productivity’, simply contact alex@lifeexpressions.co.nz or phone us today on 094759700