Work life balance and the importance of listening to your body
I was recently diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. This explains symptoms I have been having over the past few years and I am not sure how I really feel about it. My consultant and I have not yet worked out the best way of medicating for the pain and swelling. I am keen to avoid strong medication for as long as possible but I am aware that I need to focus on limiting joint and tendon damage as much as possible too. I am still looking at alternative approaches too.
The actual impact of this came into sharp focus this week. I spent the most wonderful weekend in Berlin with my son. As is to be expected on a city break on a first time visit we tried to see and do as much as possible. I ground to a halt on day 3 when trying to reach a museum out of the city centre. Whereas up til recently walking the 4 or 5 blocks to get there would have been fine it was a step too far this time. Then followed a convoluted public transport combination to get us back to our hotel.
None of this would have mattered if I had not been booked to deliver speaking skills training in 2 schools on 2 consecutive days straight after and afternoon workshop in a Young Offenders Prison. This would have been a wonderful week for me if I had not had to cope with the pain and exhaustion of the PA too.
To say I am frustrated is an understatement. I realise now that I will need to look at how I book training days differently. I am absolutely certain that the youngsters I have worked with over the past couple of days got the best training possible and that I appeared as the same bubbly, fun, engaging Jackie that others who have worked with me would expect. But I need to be mindful of the impact it had on my health.
Of course I am not alone. Lots of people have to work with health conditions in a way that impacts on their health. Employee legislation here in the UK allows for employees to request changes to be made to the way they work if their health is affected. When I had the role of business manager in a school a couple of years ago I re-established back to work interviews for the staff who had been off sick. I had to make it clear that this was not to “police” periods of sickness absence but to ensure that the employee was well enough to be at work and to make any changes needed to support them. They simply did not appreciate how good health at work could be a 2 way thing. Yet I know from experience that very many people choose not to raise issues with employers. Whilst my current issues are physical and obvious ( to me!!) when mental health comes into it I think – even in apparently more enlightened times like this – there is even more reluctance to ask for changes.
Take some time to think about what your body is telling you in relation to your work patterns at the moment and if something needs to change I urge you to talk to someone about it.
Tags: health at work, work life balance
May 22, 2009
Jackie,
I am very sorry to hear about your arthritis, and I certainly hope that you and your physician are able to work out an appropriate treatment program.
Reluctance on behalf of staff to raise this issue is more than understandable, but I would certainly think that it is important to speak out with respect to any legitimate concerns in this area.
Health is too important to be neglected.
May 22, 2009
thanks Andrew. I agree totally
May 22, 2009
Take care of yourself Jackie – give to others when and where you can and save the rest for yourself.
May 22, 2009
In the U.S. health as it relates to employer/employee is a very delicate matter. Because of how private insurance works, for a small company a devastating illness for one employee can actually cause the loss of affordable coverage for all. (It’s not supposed to work this way, but it seems to happen.) This creates obvious conflicts and unfortunate consequences that don’t help anybody.
I hope things go well for your health. A positive attitude is a good start.
May 22, 2009
Thanks Lisa – appreciate it!
May 22, 2009
Hi Fred – we are a bit more fortunate in how our public health cover works in the UK so the issue you describe cannot happen. Thankfully.
And I agree – things look so much better if you can maintain a sunny disposition!
Thanks for your comment and kind wishes.
May 24, 2009
Jackie,
I am so sorry to hear about your Arthritis! If I would have known that I wouldn’t have dragged you through whole Kreuzberg.
“that I appeared as the same bubbly, fun, engaging Jackie that others who have worked with me would expect.” Indeed, Jackie! You were bubbly, fun and engaging and so full of energy and life!
I know that myself – every time I’ve got those back problems I don’t want people to know that I’ve got them, so I’d rather ignore them – which you can only do to a certain point.
I wish you all the best – take care!
May 25, 2009
Hi Ulla – please don’t worry. I specifically planned the day so that I would be able to rest for a bit in the middle of the day. I would not have missed your tour of Kreuzberg for anything! In fact it re-energised me – which is a sign of being with a good friend, sharing interesting experiences in a place that means a lot!