Work-life balance has been in the news for years. But at Olympe, we believe in adding the physical activity dimension to the equation, to achieve an optimal balance aimed at physical and mental well-being.
Here are a few tips to help you get there:
Plan your week in advance. Determine your priorities, obligations, and activities for each day. Set aside time slots for work, family, and sport, considering your energy level, motivation and availability. Be realistic and flexible.
Communicate with those around you. Tell your employer, spouse, children and friends about your needs, expectations, and constraints. Explain to them the benefits of sport for your physical and mental health and invite them to accompany and/or encourage you.
Choose a sport that you enjoy and that suits your lifestyle. There are a multitude of sports that you can do on your own or in a group, indoors or outdoors, at home or at the gym, in the morning or in the evening. Find the one that suits you best and gives you pleasure.
Make the most of your free time. If you have free time between meetings, during lunch breaks or after dinner, take advantage of it to do some sport: brisk walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, stretching, or muscle-strengthening exercises.
Make sport a part of your daily routine. There are simple and effective ways of getting more exercise during the day, and you don’t need a lot of equipment. For example, take the stairs instead of the lift, walk or cycle to work or school, play with your children in the park or playground, do some housework or gardening.
Remember that sport is a source of pleasure, relaxation, and personal satisfaction, not a constraint or an obligation. Do sport for yourself, not for others. And above all, have fun!
By Roger Lemay