November 29, 2024
Work-Life balance for Women
Tips for Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Have you ever taken a moment—amid the chaos of deadlines, school pickups, and the constant buzz of notifications on your phone—to ask yourself: “Is this really balance?” You’re not alone. Many women, myself included, have felt like performers in a circus act, desperately trying to keep everything afloat while neglecting the one thing that truly matters: ourselves.
As a doctor, I’ve witnessed women like you—strong, resilient, and determined—come into Neem Hospital Oman with physical issues stemming from stress, exhaustion, and a lack of self-care. But beyond my role as a physician, I’m also a woman facing the same struggles of balancing work and life.
I’ve discovered that thriving doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from focusing on what truly matters. Today, I want to share my insights on achieving work-life balance—a balance that’s not just about surviving but thriving in every aspect of life.
Let’s embark on this journey together, one step at a time.
My Turning Point
I still recall the moment I realized something had to change. It was a typical evening after a demanding 12-hour shift. As I walked through the busy corridors of Neem Hospital Oman, I came across a mother with her toddler in tow. The child was beaming, but the mother’s weary expression told a different story.
She expressed her gratitude for the care we had provided, but as she departed, her exhaustion lingered in my thoughts. I saw myself in her—overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and running on empty. It made me ponder: how could I continue to empower women and children in Oman if I couldn’t even take care of myself?
That moment set me on a path of discovery. I learned that achieving balance isn’t just a personal need; it’s essential for those who depend on us, whether at work or at home.
You need to know that balance is not something that is achieved, but rather, it’s a lifestyle. It is about making daily conscious decisions that translate into a better version of you..
Why Work-Life Balance Matters
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why.
Work–life balance is not just a buzzword; it’s a foundation of your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Studies have shown that chronic stress — caused by an unbalanced working life — can result in various health disorders — heart disease, anxiety and even depression.
The stakes are higher still for women in Oman. We might be caregivers, professionals and nurturers all at once. This duality is beautiful but demanding. I’ve seen through cutting-edge healthcare initiatives in Oman, such as a mobile health app and EHR systems, the power of balance—not only in how we balance work but in how we balance our health.
The Five Pillars of Work-Life Balance
Let’s create your roadmap to flourishing through five practical pillars.
- Prioritize Self-Care Without Guilt
Many people have this misconception that self-care is self-indulgent. But dear friend, survival is self-care. It’s about allowing yourself the energy with which to give in to other people.
- Mind and Body: Reserve 30 minutes a day to do an activity that recharges you. This might be as uncomplicated as a walk through a park, or as organized as a yoga class.
- Therapeutic Practices: Spend time on something that can help clear your mind. Omanian women consider such therapeutic means as mindfulness exercises that can be received with the help of Omani health care services.
- Nutrition and Rest: Remember this, improved diet and sleep can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals. Adults should sleep 7-8 preferably quality hours and avoid missing meals, especially breakfast.
- Set Boundaries at Work and Home
Lack of a boundary is not something one can find at the end of a wall it is a path to a healthier you.
- At Work: Communicate your availability. If at any one time you feel like your workload is too much, you should talk to your manager. There is a sentiments; we use EHR Oman systems at Neem Hospital Oman to pry some of these pressure off. Likewise, need to seek how to be cleverer and save time rather than increasing the effort put to the task.
- At Home: Share responsibilities. Teach your kids to take responsibilities around the house—for you, this is a way of making work easier, for your children, this will prepare them to be independent. So ladies, the beginning of empowering women starts in the home front in Oman.
- Create a Support Network
No woman is an island. Some of the things I have learnt while being a healthcare professional in Oman is the importance of working in a group. The same applies to personal life.
- Lean on Friends and Family: Confide to others at some point because they are the ones you can turn to in time of your difficulty. War – the dramatic conversation between two characters, can quickly make even the heaviest of burdens feel a bit lighter.
- Professional Support: Lost souls seek advice from counselors or therapists whenever they need one. Modern healthcare in Oman provides affordable assistance for mental health issues that can help you at any difficult period in your life.
- Women Empowering Women: Form a group of some sort or attend a group of women with similar interests or goals. These are friends and may be the very source of support needed in a book club, a fitness group, or a professional organization.
- Use Technology to Simplify Your Life
Technology isn’t just about convenience; it’s about liberation.
- At Work: If your workplace still works as it used to do before digital cultural pushed into discourse, become the evangelizer. It is possible to save duties and other formalities altogether through such systems as EHR Oman and have more time for important things.
- At Home: If you are in Oman, here are health applications you can use to monitor your fitness, food intake, and mental health. Other useful apps may also include those that help in the organization of the household budget or planning for meals.
- Celebrate Small Wins
Each move towards moderation is a positive one. Were you able to spend quality time with your loved ones today that is undisturbed by anything? Celebrate. Aren’t you all done with a certain piece of work at your workplace or a job ahead of the deadline? Celebrate.
At Neem Hospital Oman, we are in the habit of rejoicing with each and every little achievement that a particular patient makes. Why? Almost mainly since consequence does not disappear and progress, not perfection, is what keeps us moving forward.
Overcoming Common Obstacles
Even with the best intentions, life can throw us curveballs. Let’s address some common challenges:
- Guilt: Self-care is a term that is not well-understood among many women and even when they find time to care for themselves, they feel as if they have offended someone somewhere. Let me remind you, that practicing self-care is not a sin; it is essential.
- Time Constraints: Start small. Let me emphasize that even 10 minutes, spent with the clear intention of focusing on your well-being, makes a huge difference.
- External Pressures: Set your boundaries and then calmly assert yourself. Your health is paramount and you should protect it with your life.
Real-Life Stories of Thriving Women
I would like to tell a story that motivates me even today.
At Neem Hospital Oman I once treated a female teacher, who was a single mother. Burn out was severe but she was not willing to blow the whistle. Ten days later she agreed to start using mobile health Oman to monitor her stress levels and started practicing therapeutic activities such as deep breathing and journaling.
A year later she came back to me not as a patient but as a full spirited beautiful woman. This means that while she had managed to understand how to take care of herself without failing in her responsibilities. Her story is one of examples that would support the policy of finding the balance.
Your Journey Starts Today
My dear reader, you need to know that balance is not something that is achieved, but rather, it’s a lifestyle. It is about making daily conscious decisions that translate into a better version of you..
So, what’s your first step? Perhaps it’s writing self-care appointments in your daily planner. Perhaps it is learning about health care training in Oman for the purpose of career progression without having to deal with the demands of a busy family. Or perhaps it’s as simple as taking a deep breath and reminding yourself: You deserve this.
As your doctor, as a woman and as your friend, I want to remind you that you too can blossom. For such vision to be a reality let us work together towards realizing women and children empowerment here in Oman.
You’ve got this, my friend. And I’m with you with each success and failure throughout the way.