Part 3: Balancing the "Sub-health" State and Career Health for Middle-Aged Men
"Sub-health" in middle-aged men
With the continuous development of society and the increasing intensity of competition, especially for middle-aged men, various bodily functions inevitably change due to age. However, these middle-aged men are often the backbone of their workplaces or key personnel.
With increasing work pressure and the added burden of family responsibilities, they endure long hours of work, life, and psychological stress. Unresolved anxiety and tension naturally lead to physical and mental exhaustion, potentially placing them in a sub-healthy state.
According to a World Health Organization survey, about 35% of people worldwide are in a sub-healthy state, and middle-aged men account for as much as 75% of this sub-healthy population.
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If this state persists for too long and is not adjusted in time, it will seriously threaten a person's health and will inevitably lead to various diseases; moreover, a long-term sub-healthy state is one of the most important causes of premature death in middle-aged people.
The phenomenon of sudden death among middle-aged men is becoming increasingly common, and their untimely passing brings sorrow and misfortune to many families. Middle-aged men are most prone to "overdrawing" their health; therefore, they must face their health problems squarely and prevent themselves from entering a state of "sub-health."
So, what exactly is "sub-health"? In a narrow sense, sub-health is a borderline state between health and disease. Middle-aged people in a sub-healthy state may not have a clearly diagnosed disease, but if this state is not improved in a timely manner, it can easily lead to a series of illnesses.
Mental health issues, such as fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, insomnia, and psychological disorders; gastrointestinal diseases, such as poor digestion, loss of appetite, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea; and cardiovascular diseases, such as palpitations, chest tightness, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. At this stage, these conditions may primarily be functional problems, not yet reaching the level of organic lesions, but they should never be taken lightly, otherwise, they can still lead to serious consequences.
People in a sub-healthy state may not develop organic diseases or face life-threatening situations for a period of time. However, if this continues for a long time, they are more likely to die suddenly, or "death from overwork," once they encounter certain external stimuli, such as overwork or excessive emotional excitement.
The consequences of sub-health are often serious, but they are reversible. First, we must learn to reduce stress appropriately to ensure a healthy and positive mindset.
Adjust your current work and mental state, and maintain a positive and optimistic attitude towards life. Adjust your daily routine promptly, balancing work and rest, and ensuring sufficient sleep and a balanced diet. Developing hobbies and interests is also very important; it not only cultivates character but can also help treat some mental illnesses, bringing countless benefits.
Increase outdoor exercise as much as possible, ensuring a certain amount of physical activity every day. Physical activity can improve physical fitness and enhance the body's resistance to disease, which is very important for middle-aged individuals.
In addition, regular physical examinations at hospitals or medical check-up centers are an important way for people to understand their health status and assess their health condition. Early detection and diagnosis are crucial for effective early treatment.
Finally, while being health-conscious, middle-aged men should also have correct health concepts and should never say that they are healthy simply because they are "not sick".
Health is not merely the absence of disease or disability. True health is when both the body and mind are healthy and one is well-adjusted to society. Only then can we gain a clearer understanding of sub-health, and prevent and treat it.
Balance between career and health
Longin O'Kelly, 53, was the chairman and CEO of KPMG, an accounting firm in the United States. Diagnosed with cancer in May 2005 and given only three months to live, he used those 100 days to recount the final days of his life.
In *Chasing the White Light*, he wrote: They have no real motivation or clear time to stop what they're busy with, to step back and ask themselves how they're living their lives. Many of them are quite wealthy, possessing more than they need. Why is the simple question, "What am I doing this for?" so terrifying?
As the saying goes, health is the foundation of everything. Indeed, of all things in the world, human life is the most precious. All pursuits, creations, and struggles in life depend on a healthy body and the existence of life itself. If one loses health, all pursuits, creations, and struggles will be greatly diminished. And if one loses life, none of this is possible.
Birth, aging, illness, and death are the laws of nature. No one can guarantee they won't get sick just by eating grains. No matter how much money you have or how successful your career is, when faced with the helplessness of life, you can only sigh that there is nothing more fair in the world.
Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic and known as the "God of Management," fell ill at the age of 60 due to overwork. His doctor advised him to rest for several months, but he immediately objected: "Rest? Do you know how many tasks await me every day? Do you know how many employees our company supports? How can I have time to rest!"
The doctor didn't argue with him, but instead led him to a church cemetery, pointing to the tombstones and saying, "You'll end up lying here like them sooner or later. After you die, the company will immediately have a new chairman, and everyone will continue working as before. Your body belongs only to you; the earth won't stop turning for anyone."
Konosuke Matsushita remained silent. After returning home, he quickly made a surprising decision: to announce his retirement at the peak of his career.
Health is more important than career, but considering the demands of daily life, some middle-aged men cannot abandon their careers to focus solely on health. So, are health and career truly so incompatible? Must one sacrifice their career for the sake of health?
Actually, that's not the case. In reality, many successful people manage to balance health and career. They understand that health and career are complementary and indispensable.
Always cultivate a pleasant mood and your own relaxing space. Work hard when it's time to work, and relax completely when it's time to relax. At the same time, remember to balance work and rest amidst the pressures of work; those who know how to rest know how to work.
Indeed, when people are striving for their careers, working day and night, dragging their increasingly tired bodies and gradually clouding their minds, do they ever think about how their health is slowly deteriorating? Moreover, everything you've worked so hard for requires a healthy foundation to enjoy!
Famous comedian Jiang Kun maintains a stable mental state in the often controversial entertainment industry by adhering to three health-preserving strategies: not taking things too seriously, actively relieving psychological pressure, and believing that laughter is the best form of health care.
Therefore, middle-aged men should face reality with equanimity, establish a correct outlook on life, and learn to treat themselves and others kindly. When facing setbacks, difficulties, and injustices, they should be flexible in their approach, first examining their own shortcomings and reflecting on the root causes of the situation.
When you're feeling unhappy, troubled, or depressed, communicate more with your family and friends. Talk to them, share your troubles, and listen to their advice and opinions. Never bottle things up inside and try to "reflect on your mistakes in isolation." Otherwise, you'll feel lonely and helpless, and your mental state will naturally become more depressed, irritable, and anxious.
In short, don't push yourself too hard; learn to liberate yourself and give yourself some breathing room.
Create a relaxed and joyful mood outside of your 8-hour workday. Maintain a positive and healthy mindset and create a happy space for yourself.