The sudden and untimely passing of TV actor Sidharth Shukla left all of us shocked. It brought back the discussion of heart attacks among younger and fit people in newspapers and TV channels. But, as the days pass, I see the topic being relegated to the backburner once again.
As a business coach, the significant common factor that I come across among senior coachees is ‘stress’, mostly in professional life and in some cases, personal life. It is interesting to note that most senior professionals often identify ‘work stress’ as a key challenge rather than other more solvable challenges like professional upgrades, skill obsoleteness and team conflict.
In today’s blog, one of the first things I wish to highlight is the myth that only ‘unhealthy’ people are susceptible to a heart attack. It’s often assumed that those who smoke, drink, are overweight or have a family history are most at risk. On the contrary, a heart attack can also happen to the healthiest and physically fit person – the external characteristics often hide the wear and tear that the strong muscles must go through. And age is no longer an indicator.
Professionals in the age group of 35-55 (yes, it is a wide range) should be particularly aware and careful. As this is the period when most professionals are growing in their career and attaining success, they must achieve a work-life balance before it’s too late. Most people think of ‘slowing down’ or having a ‘disciplined and healthy life’ later – postponing it for when they enter their 40s, 50s or 60s.
The best time to ‘slow down’ and live a ‘disciplined and healthy life’ is now, today!
Another myth is that ‘physically fit’ and active executives don’t need to worry about heart attacks. The examples of scores of totally fit corporate executives having a heart attack while on the treadmill is well documented (for the sake of not bringing up personal tragedies, I am not mentioning specific high profile corporate cases). Being physically fit or active – whether you cycle, workout at the gym, run on the treadmill, swim or participate in marathons – is no guarantee against a heart attack.
As mentioned at the beginning of the blog, stress is the biggest reason for sudden heart attacks and is an ‘unseen danger’. For example, a missed office promotion or sales target (and subsequent loss of bonus), sudden job loss, a cancelled contract or even a failed or strained relationship can cause severe mental turmoil, culminating in stress. Once the stressful event passes, we go on with our daily routine (thinking that we are fit and healthy), but the damage starts building internally.
Professionals should follow certain philosophies in life to manage stress:
1) Whatever happens, happens for good: Even in the worst-case scenario, we should inculcate a sense of gratitude towards the Almighty, adopting an attitude that something worse could have happened but didn’t.
2) Whatever is not in your control, don’t fret over it: We often try to revisit past events over which we have no control. With no solution on hand, we feel helpless which adds to our stress. Instead, we should ensure that however tough the fall, we build the resilience to face it. Learn to accept and move on.
3) Whatever gives you tension, is not worth the mention: Start identifying situations, people, bosses, colleagues, relationships and customers that cause you unnecessary tension and stress. Then, try to gradually minimise or move away from such situations, people and discussions. Over a period of time, you will notice that the elimination of these ‘negatives’ has made you a calmer and happier person.
Alongside regular medical check-ups and health supervision, it is best to stick to a fitness and exercise regime that is moderate and not exhaustive. A simple routine like regular walks, meditation, yoga or playing a sport (like tennis, badminton, etc.) is an excellent way to unwind. Moderation in food and fitness is the key to a longer and healthier life. A few extra pounds or giving into a sweet craving is perfectly fine once in a while. Refrain from putting yourself through a gruelling exercise or punishing regime, be it diets, weight loss or self goals.
Ultimately, it has been proven that a healthy body, a positive mind and a high energy person lives a life of contentment, in moderation and over a longer life.
I wish you a healthy and long life! But, as we become busy with our everyday routine, let’s not postpone our living in a good, measured and happy way.
