On Meditation and Mindfulness, Unplugging for Work-Life Balance

On Meditation and Mindfulness: Unplugging for Work-Life Balance

by Ruchi Mahajan Ranga

In today’s fast-paced society, if you aren’t feeling stressed, you are in the minority. On its website, the Global Organization for Stress has compiled a list of statistics to illustrate that fact: In major global economies, stress levels are rising, with 6 in 10 people experiencing increased workplace stress – China has had the greatest increase at 86%. In Australia, 91% of adults feel stress in one area of their lives.¹

With these statistics, it’s no surprise that many people struggle to balance their personal and professional lives. And for healthcare professionals – many of whom are on-call 24/7 – finding that balance is even more difficult. So, until we devise a magical pill to cure stress, we’ll have to find ways to manage it.

Learning to set limits is an important part of reducing stress. In a digitally driven world, we can get lost in our routines and forget that time to relax is vital to our wellbeing – in fact, studies have shown that productivity actually decreases with high levels of stress. 

There are various stress-reducing strategies people adopt to look after their mind and body. For some, finding a work-life balance is a matter of scheduling and prioritizing, while others may take a more holistic approach to wellness. And while it may sound simple, finding a balance continues to be a daunting task for many. Dr. Vandana Jain, a practicing cornea, cataract and LASIK surgeon in Mumbai, India, has found a stress reducing release through meditation. We talked with her to learn how meditation has changed her life, and helped to her to find that elusive balance.

Meditating the stress away

Dr. Jain shares that meditation has played a pivotal role in helping her adopt the right mindset at different phases of her life. She was introduced to meditation by one of her colleagues when she was experiencing tremendous pressure during the first year of her startup. And while there are different styles of meditation, Dr. Jain practices Vipassana, one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques. 

“Vipassana helped to me gain the right perspective and to shed my overcritical attitude toward myself,” said Dr. Jain. 

Dr. Jain admits that she is a perfectionist by nature – and that practicing meditation has given her more acceptance of herself and of the people around her. “Doing meditation routinely in the morning is like a habit for me now. With its help, I have learnt to focus on the bigger picture, both in business and in my personal life, and that eased up a lot of stress,” she said. “The acceptance of things, both at the professional and personal level, is an important lesson that has been unveiled to me through meditation.” 

For people who experience agitation or anger, along with stress, Dr. Jain says meditation can work wonders. For her, regular meditation practice has helped her achieve a higher level of satisfaction with her life – it soothes her agitation, spreads vibes of relaxation, and enables her to effectively communicate at every level. “By minimizing one’s indulgence in negative emotions, meditation helps bring out inner youth – and that’s reflected in the face,” shares Dr. Jain, who says she often gets complimented for her rejuvenated look after making daily meditation part of her life. 

While mindfulness and awareness are the most common benefits reported from meditation, it also provides us with the much-needed ability to combat stress after a hectic workday – before the build-up of stress begins to negatively impact our health, life and relationships. The goal is to approach everything we do in a mindful manner.

For Dr. Jain, meditation helped to lower her stress levels and find a balance between her work and personal life. Of course, there are other paths to reach the same goal: some people swear by yoga, while others prefer traditional exercise. Either way, taking time out for yourself each day is vital to maintaining physical, mental and emotional health. And for those hectic days, when there’s just not enough time – that’s when you need it most. Take a step back, breathe, implement your desired strategy (whether its meditation or another practice), and return revitalized and ready to tackle any challenges that head your way.

Mediation tips for beginners

In order to quiet the mind, follow these simple steps to begin a meditation practice. Begin by practicing daily for five minutes, and gradually work your way up to 20 minutes.

1. Find a comfortable seat. Generally, this is sitting cross-legged with a straight back. However, if that is not appropriate for you, sit against a wall or in a chair. (Remember, if you’re not comfortable, you won’t be able to sit still!)
2. Rest your palms on your knees. Close your eyes. Sit still.
3. Let the breath come naturally. As thoughts arise, notice them and let them go.
4. You may concentrate on the breath or use the words “let go,” to help calm the mind.

Reference:

Global Organization for Stress. Stress Facts. Available at www.gostress.com. Accessed on Sept. 13, 2017.