Why You Should Never Sacrifice Your Health for Work

This blog post highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, offers practical tips for achieving it, and explains why you should never sacrifice your health for work.

The most naive thing I ever believed was that you have to to sacrifice your health for work or school.

I used to believe that the more time I put into my work, the better the outcome would be. Four hours of sleep a night – hustle was the name of the game. But, burn out is real – real detrimental.

Unfortunately, I learned that this was not getting me anywhere and would not but sustainable in the long-term. No, just no. This is the biggest lesson that I have ever learned, and a valuable lesson that I will be taking with me through the rest of my professional career and life.

Life does not exist without some sacrifice.

We all face difficult choices daily, and it is sometimes unavoidable. When that important assignment or work product is due, you might skip that social hour. Your family may demand time away from your own social life. You may have to postpone that long-awaited vacation in order to save for a house. We all have choices and sacrifices to make, but your health should not take the backseat.

Your health is your greatest currency, most valuable asset.

Your health is the most valuable asset you own. It is what will carry you into your later years, enabling you to do and achieve the things you desire most. Without it, you cannot do much, and you set yourself up for a more difficult life. You cannot reach your goals if you are dead, and you certainly cannot be a boss lady from a hospital bed. A healthy body will enable you to do and experience more in your lifetime than if you had an unhealthy one.

Sleep is essential.

I had a really bad habit of sleeping 6 or less hours a night because I thought that I could accomplish more with more time awake. I only found that I was extremely tired and unproductive the next day. It was not worth the two or three “extra” hours I had sacrificed the night before.

When I started law school, I decided that I would not let my unhealthy sleep habits follow me because I just couldn’t live the way I was living before. So, I had to really schedule my time out to get my work done before it was time to get my 7-8 hours. Grades came first, but I made sure my health was a prerequisite. I’m still not perfect, and some nights I just can’t get to sleep (tonight). But, these healthy habits and routines will continue to propel me forward and fuel my goals for the long-term.

Diet and exercise only help your productivity and longevity.

Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial for promoting longevity and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Diet and exercise fuel your brain and body, giving you the power and energy to get through the long days at work. Why make it harder than it needs to be? Keep yourself healthy and it will reward you with the fruits of your labor in your work and school efforts.

See my post: How to Make Time For the Gym With a Full Time Job

Mental health should not be neglected, either.

Mental and physical health go hand in hand, one affecting the other. Sometimes diet and exercise can even improve your mental health. When your mind is not right, you can’t possibly do your best work. Make sure you look after your mental health along the way, too.

In order to be our most productive and efficient selves during working hours, our health should be a main priority in our lives.

Our health plays a critical role in our ability to perform at our best during working hours. When we neglect our health, we may experience a range of negative effects such as reduced energy levels, difficulty concentrating, and increased stress levels, all of which can lead to decreased productivity and efficiency.

On the other hand, when we prioritize our health by maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and getting sufficient sleep, we are more likely to feel energized and alert, which can help us perform better and be more efficient in our work. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle can help us manage stress better and improve our mental well-being, which can lead to increased focus and creativity.

Overall, taking care of our health should be a main priority in our lives, as it not only benefits us personally but also positively impacts our performance and productivity in our professional lives.