Work hard, play hard.
It's a mantra that many businesses today operate on.
However, sometimes playing too hard in your “down time” can cause lasting damage to your health and career – how can you balance your lifestyle in order to get the best results?
You might be surprised to learn that there are so many fun, easy, and exciting ways to lower your stress levels and improve your health at the same time.
If you meet customers, you will probably have to taste them and dine them. If you're on the road, it's hard to eat healthy. On top of that, having a beer or two with friends on the way home from the office is too easy to take away the stress of everyday life. Then, on weekends, partying is almost ingrained in our routine — usually thanks to years in college — so drinking can feel like the norm. Often after-work drinks on a Friday are encouraged as a team-building activity. However, for most people, there comes a time when they realize that this is not the healthiest way to live their life and look for a way to change it.
If you've reached this stage, it's time to start looking for ways to play hardball in a healthier way – and there are plenty of ways to feel elated without your health suffering. In fact, in many ways, a healthier lifestyle can make you more productive and less stressed, leading to better performance in the workplace. That's why the best companies offer gym memberships as part of their job offer.
Facing temptation
When working or socializing outside of work, you may be faced with a wide array of unhealthy choices almost daily – from fast food to alcohol to recreational drugs. They are all addictive substances and along with the high effects of taking them, there are also extreme lows, so people feel the need to keep taking them to keep them feeling good all the time.
If you are caught in a cycle with alcohol or drugs, you will need to detoxify your body to get rid of all traces of these chemicals. You may need your doctor's help to do this, especially if you feel dependent on food, drink, or medication to function every day. Even if you feel like you can manage your drug and alcohol use, it doesn't hurt to take a break once in a while; this will help you assess how dependent you really are on these substances.
If you're ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle but aren't ready to give up the buzz, here are some ways to dazzle and let off steam without drugs or alcohol. Some of these suggestions are ideal for groups and others to do alone. Some companies have even added these activities to team building classes to encourage a greater sense of community at work…
Run
Running promotes the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural chemicals that cause happiness. Endorphins are also known as endogenous morphine and once you get the common bug they can be addictive. If you've ever wondered why joggers persist in running rain or shine, here's your answer. They get high hitting the streets rather than taking a beating, and you can guarantee they'll look and feel better in the long run.
Extreme Sports
If you're looking for the ultimate race, try skydiving, bungee jumping, rafting or abseiling. These extreme activities get your adrenaline pumping while making you feel “frightened” and can help you get out into the fresh air and get to know your co-workers outside of the office or nightclub. By striving to conquer your fears and have experiences you never thought possible, you'll benefit from a natural buzz, and by surrounding yourself with people who share your interests, you won't feel the need to socialize in alcohol-rich places.
Laughing
Instead of hitting the clubs this weekend, try hitting up a comedy club. Laughter causes the pituitary gland to release pain-suppressing opiates, and that makes us feel better. Laughter also reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, and also lowers blood pressure. All of this is good for your health because stress hormones suppress the immune system, which can mean you're more susceptible to disease and infection. After a hard day at the office, laughing with your friends can make you feel more positive – and no, it doesn't have to involve beer.
Change comes from within a company, and you can guarantee that when your co-workers see the positive effects your new regimen is having on your health – and your career – they'll want to get in on the action, too.
If you're really looking to maximize your fitness routine but still don't feel like working out, here are some great tips to overcome your lack of motivation and start exercising even if you don't. don't want to.
Photo credit :Eugene Dimarsky
