How Does Your Physical Health Affect Your Success?
It feels almost needless to say that there are numerous ways in which your health, or a lack there of, can affect your studies, your chances of employment, career advancement and overall productivity and concentration.
When you have the common cold or the flu, you’re already bent out of shape. You’re sniffle-y, your brain feels like mush and you have a hard time lifting your arms let alone focusing on something. Of course, a cold is the least of your problems as there are far more severe ailments that can befall you. Those illnesses don’t only hinder your ability to live a joyful and productive life, but can also hinder your success, regardless of the field you’re in.
In these competitive times and expensive health care, no employer wants an unproductive worker who is always on sick leave. This is a harsh corporate world we live in. Therefore, we have a duty to our bodies and to our careers or studies to always make sure everything is in order, so we can not only keep our head above the water, but also strive in our respective fields. So, today, we are exploring all your options, figuring out how to increase your health and subsequent success, so let’s get right down to it.
Movement and Success
Believe it or not, even a mild, low-impact form of exercise can do a whole lot for you in terms of both success and health. Being physically active keeps your bones and muscles strong, keeps your heart healthy, and can even elevate your mood, productivity and energy levels. Aside from that, having an exercise routine makes you more organized and improves your time-management skills, which, you have to admit, is a great professional trait. It also keeps you sharp and focused – all the things an employer dreams of, so if you haven’t found a physical activity that suits your personality, hop to it. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll reap the benefits.
Two More Rules
Aside from breaking a good sweat, there are two must-dos to keep those energy and concentration levels up. One of them is quality sleep. Sleep is a time when your body gets a chance to reboot, rejuvenate and simply become fresh and ready for a new day. You’ll also be in full-work mode, resilient to distractions – crucial for a good day’s work. Needless to say, your power of memory will be vastly larger, you won’t ‘burn out’ as easily, and finally, you will be in the right mindset to make all the right decisions in a split second. So, the next time you think about sleeping next to your phone, forget about it. You need your eight hours of QUALITY snooze time, and at nighttime, the phone is your enemy.
Watch It
The third rule of maintaining your immune system, energy levels (read: productivity, focus) lies in good dietary habits. You need to stay clear of junk food which only causes you fatigue and sleepiness, and try to have at least two quality meals a day. There are tons of simple and easy meals that you can make in the morning and take to work, not to mention the number of restaurants which now serve the finest healthy foods.
Mind the Eyes
In the Digital Age, most of our jobs revolve around computers and laptops. In the long run, this takes a toll on our sight. It begins with our eyes becoming tired very fast and then it can turn into a full-blown migraine. The young professionals in Australia are very diligent when it comes to their sight, which is why a visit to a trusty optometrist in Sydney and all other cities across the country is a self-imposed mandatory one. Perhaps you are completely fine, perhaps you’re already in dire need of glasses or contacts. Waiting and postponing this checkup, in this day and age is a rookie mistake that will certainly hinder your productivity and success. It’s bad enough we’re bound to live a sedentary lifestyle, you don’t want to ruin your eyes as well.
Listen to Your Body
As soon as you feel that there is something wrong, you need to get a full physical – no excuses. Check your heart, your kidney, get an MRI, have your blood drawn – the whole shebang. Why? Because it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even if your insurance doesn’t cover it, if there is something wrong it’s better to catch it right from the start, so you can deal with it effectively and in a timely manner. This isn’t only about your professional success, it’s about your life as well. However, if you don’t want to lose your chance to prove yourself as a young professional, it’s always better to get checked up. Perhaps it’s just a mild condition that you can treat while working or studying. Perhaps it’s nothing and you will regain a peace of mind. The important thing is, checkups can save your life and your career, so never be too lazy or irresponsible as to put them off.
Yes, your health and your success are inextricably linked. After all, it’s your body and your mind that need to do the work, and if they’re not in spick and span shape, your performance will inevitably suffer. Don’t let that happen. Lead a healthy lifestyle, don’t let stress get to you, and visit your doctors regularly – remember – better safe than sorry.
.Guest post written by Claire Hastings – Claire is a wanderer and a writer. She writes as long as she can remember, and she is very passionate about fashion, running, other cultures, and her cat.