Clean water is a life interest.
And the Center for Watershed Protection (and its allies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed) is dedicated to protecting and restoring the streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and bays that we all rely on. Whether it’s for drinking or for recreation, the waterways in our back yards are part of the life blood that keeps our communities diverse and thriving.
But you already knew that.
What you might not realize is that we often neglect a key aspect of creating the solutions that help us keep those waterways flourishing…
What is that important part of the puzzle, you ask?
That would be the people behind the scenes, who power the fight for clean water. The people who dedicate their working hours (and, let’s admit it, plenty of time outside of work as well) to protecting the water that gives us life. People like you, who believe so strongly in saving our planet that you feel like your work is bigger than you. That your work is more important than you.
But today, let’s examine this counter-intuitive truth:
Without you, there is no work
Yes, there are plenty of dedicated people out in the world, trying to save the planet and leave our world a better place for future generations. But the reality is that when we create a society where the best people burn out in a matter of years, we’re not doing ourselves (or our waterways) any favors.
And yes, the work that you do is imperative — that’s even more reason for you to take care of yourself as you’re doing it. You work hard to create a sustainable planet. But it’s just as important to create a sustainable life for you, so that you can continue to do your world changing work!
How can your work sustain you?
What if there was a way to not only create a sustainable work-life balance for you, but to also do a better job in the process? It may feel odd when you first think about it, but the truth is that the better care you take of you, the higher quality work you can do.
If you’re working non-stop, eating poorly, sacrificing sleep, and not exercising, your work is going to suffer. What this boils down to is when you don’t take care of your body, your brain suffers. And when your brain suffers… well, you know where this is going.
Don’t be “that guy”
Chances are, you know this person: the hard working, stressed out, going in 15 different directions friend or colleague who constantly laments about how “busy” they are, and may even take it as a point of pride that they work so much that the rest of their life is falling apart.
They get sick a lot, and every time you see them, they’re rushing to get somewhere or finish up some last minute project. Harried, sick, tired… and proud of it. Looking in from the outside, no one wants to be that guy.
Turns out, there’s a better way
What the world needs is not more people working themselves to death trying to save the planet. Instead, it needs healthy, happy people who do smart work. People who take time to balance all of the important aspects of their lives.
So how do you become one of the latter? It’s pretty simple:
1. Reexamine your priorities: what are you doing that’s not actually important, or not moving your important work forward? Cut out anything that’s not working for you, and open up time for the things that are.
2. Break up your day: take breaks during your work day. Maybe it’s just a quick break to make some tea, or maybe it’s a mid-afternoon walk to get your brain unstuck, but make sure you’re not constantly glued to your desk or your computer.
3. Get enough sleep: your body is like your laptop battery; it needs to be recharged regularly. If you have to power through your mornings with a couple of cups of coffee, chances are that you’re not getting enough Zzzs.
4. Eat healthy: if you’re not eating, or you’re eating mostly processed crap, it’s likely that your body is going to start revolting. Like sleep, proper nutrition is key to fueling up your body (and your brain). Make sure you stay hydrated, eat lots of vegetables and fruits, and try to stick to real food (aka things that you can pronounce, and that don’t require a nutrition label).
5. Move your body: whatever form it takes, it’s important to get away from your desk and get moving. Bike riding, walking, yoga, running, Crossfit, kayaking, zumba… as long as you enjoy doing it, that’s the most important thing.
But while this list may be simple, you know that it’s certainly not easy.
Step away from the hustle
We live in a world that rewards hustle. Everything that comes across your desk is urgent. And sometimes it can feel like stepping away to take care of yourself means that the bad guys are one step closer to winning.
But what if it didn’t have to be this way?
Rather than staring blankly at the computer screen at the end of a 12 hour day, trying to force out the last few minutes of work to finish up a project, what if you took the necessary steps to keep your brain running at peak performance, and got that report done ahead of the deadline? What if our communities and local organizations were full of happy, healthy people doing great work?
With a few changes to our standard operating procedures, it’s possible.
So what do you say? Let’s get out there and show the world that sustainable lives AND a sustainable world can coexist!
Jessica Glendinning
Yoga Instructor
Jessica is a certified yoga teacher who works with entrepreneurs, activists, and other positive changemakers to improve and balance their lives through yoga. Download her audio meditation to decrease stress, increase focus, and wind down at the end of your day.
