By: Natasha Archary
It’s the final stretch of 2021 and by this time most people are feeling the fatigue of a long and taxing year. Gugulethu Mfuphi is no different, and despite having a passion for media and business, the fast-paced industry can take a toll.
The Kaya Biz host asked listeners, how they were truly feeling with 3-months left to the year?
Focusing on managing mid-year fatigue, Gugulethu spoke to Lerato Modisakeng – Head of Digital Performance at Wavemaker SA.
“There’s no denying it: I’m absolutely in love with media and marketing. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t a very demanding industry. If you don’t prioritise taking care of yourself, the stress of working in this field can ultimately take its toll on your physical and mental health,” Gugulethu Mfuphi shared the importance of taking a timeout.
In today’s highly stressed environment it’s important to listen to your body and take that much-needed break before you ultimately burn out.
According to Psychology Today, Burnout is a state of chronic stress and depression that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism and detachment and feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.
Lerato pointed out that it’s important for organisations to ensure that productivity doesn’t come to a standstill when one employee takes leave.
“It should never be a case of, we’re stuck when someone isn’t present for a workday. Employees need to take a timeout, take your lunch break, take your leave days and prioritise your health and wellness.”
Lerato pointed out that employees should take leave every quarter so that balance can be achieved in every aspect of your life.
In order to help you find your zen in the final stretch of 2021 here are 4 tips:
CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN – BREATHE
We all have moments of worry and sometimes the noise in our heads becomes deafening.
Many link a stress-free life to the absence of stress factors and if this were true we would all be wealthy, healthy and live in the lap of luxury without a care in the world.
Instead, the stress-free have simply adopted a method to handle whatever life throws at them. The most important aspect of zen is to let it go – breathe in ease and exhale the feeling of worry – do this with the intention that you are creating a new habit of letting go of anything you cannot control.
FIND TIME TO MEDITATE
You don’t need to scale the highest mountain top or find a remote island in order to reach zen through meditation.
Don’t be overwhelmed at the thought of introspection. Meditation can be practised to calm your thoughts and quiet your fears. After a few sessions of meditation you will be more focused and refreshed, ready to tackle the next challenge. Think of it as time to reconnect with you.
CULTIVATE COMPASSION
Humanity is quickly becoming detached from the emotions within and with others.
We have evolved to improve on technology to the point where everything is at our fingertips and this is evident in our interactions via screens instead of making human to human connections. But in finding compassion for others, let’s not lose the compassion for ourselves.
SIMPLIFY LIFE
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything in life, they have simply mastered the art of making the most of what they do have.
If it means taking a breather to snuggle on the couch with the kids watching a movie while your phone is on silent, do that.
Also read: Midday Joy: Spirituality in the digital era
