Work-Life Balance

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

I invite you to consider a time when you’ve overworked your mind (i.e., function of the brain), and what your experience was like once receiving some much-needed rest. With this consideration, the authors quote ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca, who stated (page 387):

The mind must be given relaxation—it will rise improved and sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced—for they will quickly lose their fertility if never given a break—so constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of the mind.

But it regains its powers if it is set free and relaxed for a while. Constant work gives rise to a certain kind of dullness and feebleness in the rational soul.

When you’ve overworked your mind and subsequently received rest, you likely were able to refocus energy toward your interests and goals. Concerning this topic, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 387):

One can’t read Marcus Aurelius and Seneca and not be struck by the difference between these two radically different personalities. Each had his own strengths and weaknesses. Which would you rather have entrusted with the immense responsibility of an empire? Probably Marcus. But who would you rather be as a person? Probably Seneca.

One of the reasons is that Seneca seems to have had what we would now refer to as work/life balance. Whereas Marcus can read as though he’s worn down and tired, Seneca always feels energetic, fresh, robust. His philosophy of rest and relaxation—intermixed with his rigorous study and other Stoic rituals —probably had a lot to do with it.

The American Psychological Association states of work-life balance, “the level of involvement between the multiple roles in a person’s life, particularly as they pertain to employment and family or leisure activities. Achieving a good balance or fit is thought to increase life satisfaction. See also quality of life.”

Each person’s work-life balance is different. For instance, how much rest and relaxation that may be beneficial to me may not be enough for you. Nonetheless, while not entirely an absolute need, some balance may be useful. Of this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic conclude (page 387):

The mind is a muscle, and like the rest, it can be strained, overworked, even injured. Our physical health is also worn down by overcommitment, a lack of rest, and bad habits. Remember the tall tale about John Henry—the man who challenged the machine? He died of exhaustion at the end. Don’t forget that.

Today, you may face things that try your patience, require considerable focus or clarity, or demand creative breakthroughs. Life is a long haul—it will mean many such moments. Are you going to be able to handle them if you’ve burned the candle at both ends? If you’ve been abusing and overworking your body?

Reading that citation, I think of two points. First, the mind isn’t a “muscle.” Factually speaking, not even the brain (i.e., physical organ) is a muscle! Even if it were, the mind is the abstract function of the brain. One can make a meaningful point without misguiding one’s audience.

Last, advocacy for work-life balance may be beneficial. As advocated by authors of The Daily Stoic, taking time for rest and relaxation could prove beneficial. Therefore, I invite you to take this matter into consideration, as you carry on the business of living from day to day.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, Designed by Magnific, fair use

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