Wellness Practices for a CA
A Chartered Accountant’s job is a very intense and demanding job. One that has the CA constantly navigating through dozens of deadlines and long work hours, making it very difficult to find a proper work-life balance. Striking this balance however becomes necessary for a CA to prevent early burnout and many impending health issues due to the stress and tensions of everyday life. According to the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA), they found that 32% of accountants feel stressed in their daily life and 17% were forced to take time off in order to relieve the stress they were experiencing. Here in this blog, we would be exploring some of the practical wellness practices for a CA to improve their overall wellness ,maintain that work-life balance and build a thriving work environment. Tips for a CA to follow for Physical Wellness: A CAs job is very much sedentary in nature, with nearly 65% employees sitting for more than nine hours a day at work. Sitting at a desk for long hours, typing and crunching numbers is a daily routine for Chartered Accountants. With increased risk of health problems that the Chartered Accountants may face like Obesity leading to furthermore heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and the likes of such. There are ways to ensure physical wellness that CAs can practice on a day to day basis that would greatly better their overall health. Ergonomic Work Desk: Since the work of a CA revolves around sitting at the desk for longer periods of time, make sure your workstation is ergonomically sound. Sync the desk and the chair height in a way that helps maintain a proper posture. Desk Exercises: Exercises, be it of any kind, are very important to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and boost the energy levels. Here are some of the exercises that CAs can do at the comfort of their own desk: Take short breaks throughout the day: Sitting for long periods of time can cause a number of health problems and so experts advise to move around every 20-30 minutes to get your blood flowing and prevent muscle stiffness. Use the Pomodoro Technique for effective time management and to ensure maximum productivity. No compromise with Sleep: A minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep is required in order to boost the cerebral health . And since work of CAs involves a lot of mind-work multi-tasking, a good night’s sleep is key. Proper Diet and Nutrition: Eat foods that are packed with nutrients instead of processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of unhealthy fats. Tips for a CA to follow for Mental Wellness: Pending Tasks? Not anymore: Complete the work well in advance so the last minute hassles regarding deadlines are eliminated. Use a good task management software like PaperliteCA to manage all the pending tasks effectively to remain stress free. Take time out for yourself to Relax and Recharge: To break the monotony of work, set some time aside for your ‘Me’ Time, whereby you can relax and rewind. Do things that calm you or give you peace during this time. Try meditation, journaling, listening to music, going for walks and spending time with your family and friends. Cut down on alcohol and caffeine: Although they may give a temporary relief from everyday stress and tension,chances of getting addicted to them is also very high. Both of these have also been researched to elevate anxiety levels. Seek Professional help if struggling with Anxiety or other mental issues: Know that there is no shame in seeking assistance from a licensed professional if you’re struggling with mental issues. Apart from professional help, here are a couple of other tips that you use to deal with anxiety and stress caused at work: Deep Breathing: Close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths through your nose. Focus on the rise and fall of your chest as you breathe. Repeat. 333 Rule of Anxiety: Look around at the surrounding environment and name 3 things you see, identify 3 sounds you hear and touch 3 things (such as your limbs or external objects). Count to 10 Slowly: When you feel you’re anxious, find a quiet and comfortable place to sit. Close your eyes and slowly count to 10. Networking: Networking is very important, not just for career, but also for the mental wellness of a CA.Find a support system of friends, family, or colleagues and make sure you surround yourself with people who wish for your well-being and have a positive vibe that can bring about impactful changes. Set up boundaries: Prioritize your own time,and set up suitable boundaries. Allocate tasks accordingly to reduce the excess amount of workload. Learn to say no at times, instead of always being available and in turn being under an excess amount of stress due to increased workload. Conclusion: In the demanding world of Chartered Accountancy, balancing both physical and mental wellness is crucial. Simple steps like ergonomic workspaces, desk exercises, regular breaks, and adequate sleep can really help boost physical health. For mental well-being, handle tasks in advance, find relaxation time, limit alcohol and caffeine intake, seek professional help when needed, network for support, and set boundaries. In short, prioritize your wellness to not only survive but also thrive in the CA field.