Taking Care --

A recent newsletter from Dr. Andrew Weil reported that in a 2005 study, it was estimated that Americans were spending 20 percent more time on the job than in 1970.

Most Europeans get five to six weeks of paid vacation time every year, while the average American gets only two weeks.

Of course, thanks to the current economic crisis, those who are surviving layoffs and downsizing are often having to fill in and do the work of their colleagues who are gone. This means that if you still have a job, you are probably working much harder than just a couple of years ago, and under tremendous new pressure.

This is a disastrous recipe for burnout and worse. Chronic stress at work can lead to serious health problems.

If you’re frequently frazzled, be proactive to improve your situation as much as you can. Talk with your boss and make sure that everyone agrees what the most important priorities are. There is nothing more discouraging than spending a lot of time on something that no one really cares about.

Make sure that you are up to date on the skills you need to make your job easier. This may seem obvious, but it can be a common problem if we are suddenly covering for more than one job description. Formal training is often an early casualty during economic downturns, and it may take extra initiative from you to find out what you need. Besides, if people don’t teach us the tricks and tips that can simplify our work, how are we to know?

For example, a very smart, but non-technical acquaintance of mine had been spending untold extra hours every day, having to re-type his paperwork from one computer form to another. No one had ever bothered to show him how to use his keyboard shortcuts to cut and paste from one application to the other.

Never underestimate the difference it can make to learn relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, and giving yourself some quiet time.

And stress means you’ll need to kick your nutrition up a notch. Pack extra healthy snacks to sustain your energy during those long days, and try to go for a walk at lunchtime, just to clear your head.

Limit the caffeine, which will just jangle your nerves. Make sure you are getting plenty of fresh air, exercise, and restful sleep.

And please -- unplug from the 24/7 addiction to technology. At least turn off your cell while you’re driving and treat yourself to good music, or a book on CD, or just some peaceful downtime.

Whenever possible, avoid crazy-making multitasking, and cultivate the serenity of mindfulness, giving your sacred attention fully to the one thing that you can actually be doing in any given moment.

Quality of life can be preserved, even in hard times. It might take a little extra effort. But you’re worth it!