For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed in their quest for work-life balance, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.”
Coined by Dr. Jeffrey Karp, professor of biomedical engineering at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School in Boston, the pendulum lifestyle is defined as “a concept that empowers us to recognize and thrive within the natural ebbs and flows of life.” has been. Swing. ”
“Very rarely are we in a state of equilibrium…It’s just an unrealistic, anxiety-inducing expectation,” the doctor said in an interview on FOX News Digital.
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Seeing the world as a pendulum fosters a more compassionate mindset and reduces the pressure to be perfect, Karp said.
For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed in their quest for work-life balance, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.” (St. Petersburg)
Experts say this approach allows people to take small steps to “swing the pendulum” and feel more emotionally, mentally and physically “balanced” during the day. .
This could also empower individuals who feel “stuck” when facing daily challenges, he said.
“If you look at nature, there are so many cycles, so many things that seem to come and go, like night and day…the changing seasons, the waxing and waning of the moon,” Karp said. Ta.
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The pendulum lifestyle involves daily “self-check-ins” that measure your physical, emotional and mental energy levels, Karp said. Then you can immediately take steps to move the level in a positive direction towards the ideal balance.
“If you can visualize everything as a pendulum, you can think, ‘What steps can I take today to move the pendulum a little closer to where I want it to be?'” he said.
This approach allows people to take small steps to “swing the pendulum” and feel more emotionally, mentally and physically “balanced” during the day. (St. Petersburg)
For example, a person with low physical energy may visualize a pendulum with lowest energy on one side and highest energy on the other side.
Then do a “self-check” to identify where your energy level is on the pendulum and what small steps you can take to move you closer to your ideal balance point, Karp said.
“True happiness lies not in perfection or consistency, but in the ability to overcome life’s ups and downs.”
That might mean taking a 10-minute walk, doing some jumping jacks, or doing some stretches to move the pendulum into a position of higher energy levels.
“This gives the person strength and reminds them that they are not stuck,” Karp said.
Experts say that taking a 10-minute walk, doing some jumping jacks, or doing some stretches can move the pendulum to a position of higher energy levels. (St. Petersburg)
Conversely, if it’s late at night and you need to unwind, experts advise that you might engage in calming exercises like meditation or listening to relaxing music as a way to swing the pendulum to a more sleep-friendly level. I did. .
The pendulum lifestyle also has mood-enhancing effects, Kelp says. When someone is feeling down, watching a funny movie or practicing gratitude can help shift the pendulum.
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This approach could also help someone find the strength to move forward if they feel “stuck” in life, experts said.
“It’s very empowering when you start to realize that you’re not limited to being where you are on the pendulum and you can take intentional steps,” he said.
One expert said a daily check-in process could help individuals identify when they’re not feeling their best and find ways to get better. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Molly Schaab, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a licensed psychologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, commented on Karp’s pendulum lifestyle concept.
“It’s so empowering when you start to realize that you’re not limited to being where you are on the pendulum and you can take intentional steps.”
She agreed that a daily check-in process can help individuals identify when they’re not feeling their best and find ways to get better.
“That might include getting better sleep or eating a healthier breakfast… so you wake up with better bandwidth tomorrow,” says Schaab.
progress, not perfection
Dr. Christopher Fischer, a psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital Northwell Health in Queens, New York, said the pendulum lifestyle could help people who feel pressured to achieve the perfect work-life balance. Ta.
“The pendulum of life’s experiences, whether they be emotional, cognitive, or physical, is the most accurate expression of what it means to be human,” he told FOX News Digital told.
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“True happiness lies not in perfection or consistency, but in the ability to weather the ups and downs of life,” he told Fox News Digital.
Schaab agreed that the nature of a pendulum lifestyle means that you can’t always maintain a 50/50 balance.
Adopt a constructive perspective and ask yourself what positive changes and habits can help you achieve a more optimal level on your pendulum trajectory, one expert advised. (St. Petersburg)
“It’s always about tuning in to yourself…and knowing which parts of your life need you more at certain times,” she said.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, it’s more of a customized approach based on what you need and what the people in your life want from you.”
4 steps to live a pendulum lifestyle
Karp shared some specific strategies for adopting a pendulum approach.
1. Perform a head-to-toe check-in every morning.
Ask yourself how you feel emotionally, physically, and mentally. What part of you can’t feel at 100% level?
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2. Make any necessary adjustments
Based on your self-check-in, Karp suggested considering changing your routine to match your energy level or taking simple steps to swing the pendulum in a positive direction.
3. Be considerate and curious.
If you feel off-balance, Karp said, recognize that it’s part of a natural pendulum swing, and embrace self-compassion and acceptance rather than shame or judgment.
“It’s about constantly tuning in to yourself…and knowing which parts of your life need you more at certain times.”
Adopt a constructive perspective and ask yourself what positive changes and habits can help you achieve a more optimal level on your pendulum trajectory, he advised.
4. Understand your pendulum swing
It may be helpful to ask yourself specific questions such as:
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“What factors contribute to a balanced emotional state?”
“What causes you to lose your balance?”
“What small changes can I make today to develop a better sense of balance?”
“How did I respond when I felt an imbalance? And was it effective?”
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Above all, Karp said it’s important to remember that finding balance is a “lifelong journey.”
