You're More Than a Role Name. You're a Whole Human.

I was going through a rough time during my high school and early college years. There was always that internal pressure of being perfect, being number one, getting a hundred percent. I felt like I had to be perfect otherwise I didn’t do enough. All my friends might have looked at me from their perspective and called me the smartest person in class who’s very confident. But for some reason, no matter how much I earned, I didn’t give myself the time to process the win because I was too busy focusing on my mistakes instead of my achievements. Then a family friend gave me a book that changed my life. It was a book on mind-body medicine by a famous physician named Dr. Sarno. It made me ask myself why am I so serious?

 I’m mentally distressing  myself  about every detail in my life because I want it to be perfect. But perfect doesn’t exist. It’s not realistic. So I began to read more about tips on improving mental health. It stayed celebrating the small achievements, being compassionate with yourself, expressing your emotions in various methods, and the most important tip: giving yourself enough time to recharge your energy through breaks. 

That point really stuck out to me because sometimes I would try to study for  hours straight just so I can check that task off of my long list of assignments, thinking I would feel at ease. But I never did because it doesn’t work that way. I always felt burnt out so I couldn’t even enjoy the time off. Work never ends, so we can’t lock ourselves in work mode while we grind through our work nonstop without any breaks. Quality is more important than quantity in most aspects of life. Finishing your work with more qualitative effort and time by the deadline is more important than rushing through it to check it off your to-do list. 

Ever since I was younger, I decided to pursue a career in the medical field which means I signed up for endless studying, rigorous schedules, and exams for the rest of my life. But I asked myself why am I struggling so much if I’ve chosen my dream career? 

I was so busy overthinking the grades, the extracurricular activities, and assignments I forgot why I want to become a physician in the first place. I want to help people feel better physically and mentally, but how could I do that if I didn’t have optimal health. 

So I made it my life long goal to remember to not only fuel my brain with knowledge, but also fuel my heart, soul, and body with energy. It wasn’t easy but it was possible.

You might wonder how taking a break can change your life? Well it’s not the kind of break where you walk to your fridge, get a snack, and walk back to your laptop. 

It’s taking the kinds of breaks that will maintain your life-work balance. And I say life-work balance because I think our entire life should comprise more time than work related activities, which might sound impossible for those who work long schedules but it’s possible when you take the right actions. 

There are four different types of breaks that everyone needs to maintain optimal health and a happy life. Emotional, social, mental and physical. 

Emotional breaks can be considered “You time”. Connect with yourself in any way you want. Watch your favorite movie or sports game. Or work on your favorite hobby to increase your dopamine levels and boost your  happiness.

1. Learn your favorite language by watching shows with subtitles. I've done it with Turkish Dramas the past eight years and now I don't need subtitles to understand!

2. Have a movie night by yourself. Make some popcorn and pick a movie! You don't always need someone to have a fun movie night.

3. Chill in bed and listen to your favorite music.  

Social breaks will allow you to disconnect from your work circle and connect with your family, friends, and members at a club. Attending an event, even if it's online can motivate you to meet new people and learn new things.

1. Sit down and video call your best friend. Try to relax and enjoy the moment, instead of always multi-tasking while in a call.

2. Join a zoom event.

3. Go out with a friend (of course with masks and social distancing!)

Mental breaks help clear your mind. I think of it as a palate cleanser but for your brain. This can be different for everyone. It might include meditation, breathing exercises, and sometimes a power nap is all it takes to give your brain a power boost. 

1. Meditate on Headspace.

2. Journal away all your thoughts on your notes app and delete it after.

Finally, Physical breaks. Throughout the day, try to remind yourself to get up in between classes or meetings and just stretch your body even if you only have a couple of minutes, it makes a difference. Moving to another room helps your brain understand it’s a break and relax for a minute. After a long work day, get your body moving and go on ashort walk or do some yoga.  

1. Download the FREE FitOn app for yoga, dance, Pilates, HIIT, and countless other live exercise videos on demand. It even has mini stretch break videos in between that you can do in between meetings.

Once you start engaging yourself in these breaks, you’ll realize its benefits. You need every single one of these daily to maintain your overall health as a successful individual.Your body gives you specific cues to communicate its necessities. Your stomach might growl telling you you’re hungry. Or you might get a headache so you can take a serious break from whatever you’re working on. So listen to your body and follow its needs.

Once I began to do yoga, spend more time with my family and friends, and take frequent breaks throughout the work day, I began to feel more motivated and inspired again. So remember who you are and own your health. I’m not just a student. I’m not just a daughter, or sister, or employee. I’m a combination of all of them and that’s what makes me who I am today. You might be a mother, a father, a husband, a wife, or an employee, but you need to remember you’re more than role names in your life. You’re a whole unique human who has countless hats to put on so treat yourself like you’re all of them. Give yourself the social, emotional, mental, and physical health breaks you deserve by engaging in different activities that nourish every aspect of your body.

And remember, live beautifully and happily!

Warmly,

N.A.S.