7 Habits (to break) of Highly Effective People

I get weekly newsletters from MedScape and there are always interesting articles to read like how studies show that a person with warm hands have a warm heart etc. It was just yesterday that I checked my mailbox and there it was in front of me, the title of an article 'Seven Habits (to Break) of Highly Effective People'. For workaholics or pseudo-workaholics (like me), take some time out to read this.

The 7 worst habits of these workaholics include:

1. Forgetting to relax: Some stress can be good because it keeps you alert and motivated; too much stress, however, will take its toll on your body.

I admit that sometimes, I do forget to relax but I've got constant reminders from Benedict. I think stress can be channeled in different ways for different people. For me, it would be through dancing and chess! Yeah, I know, a non-nerd method and a nerdy method. Heck, it works for me. I also watch series show to relax but not all are relaxing because when there's conflict, I've got to wait till it is resolved before I can carry on with my work. Sometimes, two episodes are related like Part 1 and 2. I remember the time when I watched Heroes Season 3. It was nerve wrecking! I had to wait and 1 week was a long time!

2. Eating on the go: Who has time to sit down for a healthy lunch? But beware of frozen meals, fast, and processed food that can be high in sodium, calories, and fat.

I only do this when I'm late for class and if I've been procrastinating on some things and need it to be done on that day itself. It happens to many people, right?

3. Putting off sleep for work: Lack of sleep can cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, poor judgment, and obesity.

Obesity?!?! It's weird really, because sometimes, when I have only a couple hours of sleep, I'll be wide awake the next day but of course as the day comes to an end, I'll be exhausted to the max. In Semester 2, I slept at 3 or 4 am just to finish what I haven't covered. It's not a good thing but I think as long as we have adequate sleep, it should be enough like an afternoon nap or something after the work's completed.

4. Not making time for exercise: Humans were not designed to sit at desks for 8 hours a day. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk for nearly every major disease and to help fight anxiety and depression.

^^ Do you exercise? It's been weeks already since Lydia and Arthur asked me to hit the gym with them or Chia Sin asking me to run with her in the evenings and I always turn them down with the excuse that I've got to finish revising lectures for the day. In the end, I would be playing Taboo with Benedict and Navin or perhaps Cluedo with Jae Ric as well. After the CNY holidays, there will be cheerleading practices, dance practices, dance classes etc. That would be my exercise. =)

5. Working when sick: 3 common-sense reasons to stay home: avoid spreading the infection, you'll be less productive, and you need your rest to get better.

Sandip + Chia Sin = Super Spreader. It only took one week before a lot of people in my batch fell sick last sem. Still, it's unavoidable under certain circumstances. Like me, I wouldn't skip CSU, PBLs or lectures. Like many, there's a lot of revision, a lot of research and a lot of activity. Maybe working is okay, but not too much.

6. Drinking (too much): Moderate alcohol consumption has some proven health benefits , but excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism, liver disease, and some forms of cancer.

I don't drink but yeah. I'd just think about the pictures from the Pathology classes. :S

7. Skipping annual medical checkups: Depending on age, family history, and lifestyle, a comprehensive medical checkup and special screenings is recommended every 1 to 5 years.

Ladidudida~~~ When was the last time you had a comprehensive medical checkup and special screenings?

So, start breaking these habits... =)