For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while struggling to balance work life, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.”
Compiled by Dr. Jeffrey Karp, Ph.D, a professor of bioengineering at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School in Boston, describes the pendulum lifestyle as “a mindset that acknowledges the natural ebb and flow of life, and empowers you to thrive in the midst of adversity.”
“It’s rare for us to estimate … it’s unrealistic and an anxiety-provoking expectation,” the doctor told Fox News Digital in an interview.
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Seeing the world as a pendulum encourages a more compassionate attitude and reduces the pressure to be perfect, says Karp.
For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while struggling to balance work life, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.” (Stock)
In this way, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” which makes them feel more “balanced” emotionally, mentally and physically during the day, according to experts.
This can also empower people who feel “stuck” in the face of everyday challenges, he said.
“If we look at nature, there are many cycles, many things that kind of go back and forth, like night and day …. the changes of the seasons, and the waxing and waning of the moon,” Karp noted.
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The pendulum lifestyle involves a daily “self-check” in which one measures one’s physical, emotional and mental levels, Karp said. They can then take immediate steps to move their levels in the right direction to the proper balance.
“If we can visualize everything on the pendulum, we can think, ‘What is one step I can take today to move the pendulum closer to where I want it to be?’ she said.
In this way, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” which makes them feel “balanced” emotionally, mentally and physically during the day. (Stock)
For example, a person with low physical strength may visualize a pendulum with low strength on one side and very high strength on the other.
He then does a “self-assessment” to see where his energy level is on the pendulum and what small steps can bring it closer to the ideal balance, Karp said.
“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebb and flow of life.”
That might mean taking a 10-minute walk, doing jumping jacks or doing a few stretches to swing the pendulum to a higher energy level.
This gives a person strength and reminds him that he is not stuck,” said Karp.
Taking a 10-minute walk, doing jumping jacks or doing a few stretches can swing the pendulum to a higher energy level, the expert says. (Stock)
On the other hand, if it’s late at night and a person needs to wind down, they may engage in gentle exercise such as meditation or listening to relaxing music as a way to swing the pendulum to a level more conducive to sleep, advises the expert. .
The pendulum lifestyle can also act as a mood-booster, says Kelp. If someone is feeling down, watching a funny movie or practicing gratitude can help shift the pendulum.
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This method can also help to bring forward momentum if a person feels “stuck” in life, says the expert.
“When you start to realize that you’re not only at that point on the pendulum, but you can take a step forward and be intentional, it’s empowering,” he said.
A daily check-in process can help people recognize when they’re feeling less than tip-top and find ways to turn around in a better place, one expert says. (Stock)
Dr. Molly Sherb, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a licensed psychiatrist at Mount Sinai in New York City, commented on Karp’s idea of a pendulum lifestyle.
“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to being at that point on the pendulum, but you can take a step forward and be intentional, it’s empowering.”
She agreed that a daily check-in process can help people identify when they’re feeling less than tip-top and find ways to turn around to a better place.
“That might include sleeping better or eating a healthy breakfast … to help you wake up with better bandwidth tomorrow,” Sherb said.
Progress, not perfection
Dr. Christopher Fisher, a psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital Northwell Health in Queens, New York, said the pendulum lifestyle can help those who feel stressed to achieve a perfect work-life balance.
“The pendulum of life experience — whether it’s emotional, mental or physical — is one of the truest expressions of what it means to be human,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebb and flow of life,” he told Fox News Digital.
Sherb acknowledged that the essence of the pendulum lifestyle is that it’s not always possible to strike that 50-50 balance.
Embrace a positive outlook and ask yourself what positive changes or practices can help you reach the best level on the pendulum path, advises one expert. (Stock)
“It’s about constantly adapting to yourself … and seeing what parts of your life may need you more at certain times,” she said.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a balanced approach based on what you need and what the people in your life need from you.”
4 steps to start a pendulum lifestyle
Karp shared some specific techniques for using the pendulum method.
1. Do a head to toe test every morning
Ask yourself how you feel emotionally, physically and mentally. What parts don’t feel 100% level?
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2. Make any necessary changes
Based on your self-evaluation, consider changing your routine to match your energy level or take simple steps to help swing the pendulum in a positive direction, Karp suggested.
3. Be compassionate and curious
If you feel inadequate, Karp said to recognize that as part of a swinging natural pendulum and accept it with self-compassion rather than shame and criticism.
“It’s about constantly adapting to yourself … and seeing what parts of your life may need you the most at certain times.”
Embrace a positive outlook and ask yourself what positive changes or practices would help you reach a better level on the pendulum’s path, he advises.
4. Understand the swing of your pendulum
It may be helpful to ask yourself some questions, such as the following.
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“What factors helped to influence the state of feeling balanced?”
“What factors contributed to feeling unbalanced?”
“What small changes can I make today to promote a sense of better balance?”
“How did I respond to feeling out of balance and was it successful?”
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Above all, Karp said, it’s important to remember that finding balance is “a lifelong journey.”
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