Work-Life Balance: You Can Have It All
Having and maintaining a work-life balance is a crucial aspect of personal health and wellbeing. Maintaining a healthy balance helps in reducing stress, which is linked to depression and anxiety, while still being productive at work. (Kohll, 2018) Work shouldn’t be seen as something that’s separate from life but as an aspect of it. Pursuing a graduate degree and a career in academia is a huge commitment but shouldn't come at the cost of one’s personal well-being. As stated in the article “The Possibility of Work-Life Balance in Science”, “Even if we love science and see it as integral to our lives, that is no excuse for neglecting other aspects of who we are. We have the agency to decide what is important to us. If we decide to have a family and enjoy other interests, we should not chastise ourselves for neglecting science.” (Boyle 2015)
Holly Hunsberger, a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University, shares what maintaining a work-life balance means to her.
“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create. I’ve always been a
strong proponent of work-life balance. My job is science but that is not my life. During
the day I’m a postdoctoral scientist studying sex differences in Alzheimer’s disease. In
the evenings I’m a fitness instructor. I’ve always enjoyed fitness and sports and decided
that I didn’t need to choose between science and extracurriculars. I could have both. I
began mountain biking during college and decided to become certified as a spin
instructor during graduate school. I now teach in the city at PushPedal NYC. Come spin
with me! I also have a love of running and swimming. I’ve completed 3 half marathons,
2 triathlons, and last year completed my dream of running the NYC marathon. I hope
this post will inspire others to reach for their dreams or passions. You can have it all, if
you define what “all” is for you. Now get out there and run the world.
”
Works Cited:
Boyle , B. (2015, December 23). The Possibility of Work-Life Balance in Science. Retrieved from http://lifesciencesjournal.org/2015/12/the-possibility-of-work-life-balance-in-science/
Kohll, A. (2018, May 23). The Evolving Definition Of Work-Life Balance. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/03/27/the-evolving-definition-of-work-life-balance/#5dffba589ed3