You're working long hours in a high-stress environment. How can you keep your health and sanity?

Mastering the art of setting boundaries is crucial for stress management and gaining control in our unpredictable world. Acknowledging your right to set these limits often involves the challenge of navigating the expectations of others, including loved ones, your colleagues, and your boss. This is a transformative step, that empowers you but also reshapes your interactions, fostering mutual respect. Embracing 'No' as a part of your vocabulary is a powerful strategy, but to be successful it's essential to openly share your rationale, setting the stage for healthier relationships and personal well-being. This journey requires patience, persistence, and determination promising a profound impact on your life and those around you.

Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, meditation, and sufficient sleep to recharge. Set boundaries to maintain work-life balance and prevent burnout. Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness. Delegate tasks or seek support from colleagues to lighten your workload. Seek professional help if stress levels become overwhelming, prioritizing mental health and well-being.

From an early age, everyone develops their rituals that help manage stress. It's crucial to leave work at work, especially for remote workers, to maintain a clear boundary between work and home life. Creating a ritual to symbolically "come home" can make a big difference. For example, changing into specific clothes can signal the end of the workday. Though it might feel odd at first, such rituals can become an essential part of transitioning from work to personal time, helping maintain that work-life balance. As I change, I let go of all work issues and tell my husband, who also works from home "Honey, I'm home!". At first, it seemed funny and silly, but now we both need it.

It's vital to establish clear boundaries, prioritise tasks, and delegate responsibilities effectively. Taking regular breaks to recharge and seeking support from colleagues/mentors can provide perspective and encouragement. Incorporating self-care activities , like a walk and cultivating gratitude can help maintain a positive mindset amidst challenges.

Set NO as your default answer. Remember - every time you say 'NO', you're really saying 'YES' to things that matter more to you. It's not about being negative or rejecting others; it's about being smart with your time and energy. Saying 'NO' means you know what you want and what you don't, and that's a big deal. It might feel tough to say 'NO' at first, and that's okay. It's all part of growing and learning what makes you happy. Think of 'NO' as your tool for building the kind of life you've always wanted—one where you're in charge. “Real freedom is saying ‘no’ without giving a reason.” - Amit Kalantri

The Pomodoro technique followed by the Japanese allows you to take 5-minutes breaks every hour to reset yourself. Work for a while and take a full break for 5 minutes and come back re-energized. This technique is super effective and not only prepared you for taking on the challenges but also provides you enough relaxation time between work.

Make self-care a priority by engaging in activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. Practicing gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life can also help maintain a healthy perspective during challenging times.

The title of the article itself speaks about the need for working long hours. A situation which I faced during my tenure in corporate. I often practiced what I share here so that you can practice too: Every hour take a pause and ask yourself about how are you feeling. And check how you are breathing to know if you are fully alive. Focus on breathing. If it is fast, slow it down. 20 Seconds.. Go to window. Look up in the sky and say a loud 'Wow!'. Sky is always fascinating at any hour of the day. 10 seconds. Take a 30 second leisure walk with in the room if required. Just one minute every hour to you... And You will be Ok.. Nothing much. It's simple from #simplySOOD?

Besides all said in this article, and that I agree, it's necessary that you love your work, what you do. You need to have a true passion professionally and that must be aligned with your purpose in life. Ask yourself always: do I see myself doing this for the rest of my life? If it's an "yes", than you know in your core being that you have always an option to be able to continue doing what you do, even if you are in a high stress-environment - I am the living proof after 32 years of high stress in multinational environment. It's very important too, as it is referred in the article, taking care of ourselves and remember to not being too hard on you, because there is always a way to continue your path.