Key to balanced life: Self-love and connection
SHARIFAH SHAHIRAH
SHAH ALAM - Prioritising self-love is crucial for maintaining a balanced life, as individuals need to learn how to manage stress and emotions effectively.
Clinical psychologist Yasmin Khan highlighted the importance of establishing priorities and boundaries, prioritising self-care and self-love.
"Recognise when work becomes overwhelming or when things start weighing heavily on you. Take time off when needed," she said during Sinar Daily's She Leads programme entitled "Elevating the Fitness of Your Mind and Body."
The programme held at the Karangkraf Complex, here also featured fitness coach Kevin Zahri as a panellist where they shared insights on enhancing mental health and fitness in the workplace.
Yasmin addressed common excuses about time management, questioning whether individuals genuinely prioritise activities like going to the gym, doing pilates, or taking an hour for self-care and relaxation.
She added that it was sometimes hard to pinpoint one's limits, but if people began feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope, it was a sign they should take a break.
Yasmin shared that for her, social media served as both a tool and a distraction.
Like everyone else, she said she would find herself scrolling through social media, but to curb excessive scrolling, she used the timer feature on her phone.
She also emphasised the importance of talking to someone and expressing problems.
Whether it was the team leader, superior, or someone higher up, she said people should mention if they were not doing okay or if they were struggling.
This way, she said at least someone was aware of what was happening.
"If you're struggling to balance your personal life and work, reach out. There's always someone to talk to," she said.
She also highlighted that if people keep everything inside while others have expectations of them at work, it can make the job feel overwhelmingly challenging.
Therefore, she said it was crucial to speak up and voice concerns.
Yasmin said many people tend to keep their feelings bottled up, but it was beneficial to share what was truly going on with someone.
"And that's the best way for me. You can cope with it because you're bringing awareness to the situation. And that is something that is key," she added.
Yasmin also encouraged people to participate in activities they enjoy, stressing the significance of engaging in things that bring happiness and enhance overall well-being.
She stressed the importance of prioritising self-care and cautioned against excessive immersion in digital routines, emphasising the need to maintain a healthy balance.
