‘Swing lifestyle’ could be key to juggling daily challenges

For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while struggling to achieve work-life balance, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.”

Coined by Dr. Jeffrey Karp, Ph.D, professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard Medical School at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, the pendulum lifestyle is defined as a “concept that recognizes the natural ebb and flow of life and allows it to prosper in the midst of the swings.”

“We are rarely in balance… it’s just unrealistic and an anxiety-inducing expectation,” the doctor told Fox News Digital in an interview.

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Seeing the world as a pendulum fosters a more compassionate mindset and relieves the pressure to be perfect, Karp said.

For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while struggling to achieve work-life balance, some experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.” (iStock)

With this approach, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” allowing them to feel more “balanced” emotionally, mentally and physically throughout the day, according to the expert.

This could also empower people who feel “stuck” when facing daily challenges, she said.

“When you look at nature, there are so many cycles, so many things that come and go, like night and day… changing seasons and the waxing and waning of the moon,” Karp said.

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The pendulum lifestyle involves daily “self-checks” in which the person measures their physical, emotional and mental energy levels, Karp said. They will then be able to take immediate steps to move their levels in a positive direction towards ideal balance.

“If we can visualize everything on a pendulum, we can think, ‘What’s the one step I could take today to move the pendulum a little bit closer to where I want it to be?'” he said.

With this approach, people can take small steps to “swing the pendulum,” allowing them to feel more “balanced” emotionally, mentally, and physically throughout the day. (iStock)

For example, a person who has low physical energy might visualize a pendulum with the lowest energy on one side and the highest energy on the other.

You would then do a “self-check” to identify where your energy level is on the pendulum and what small steps could bring you closer to the ideal balance point, Karp said.

“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebb and flow of life.”

That might mean taking a 10-minute walk, doing some jumping jacks, or doing some stretches to move the pendulum to a higher energy level position.

“This strengthens the person and reminds them that they are not stagnant,” Karp said.

Taking a 10-minute walk, doing some jumping jacks or doing some stretches can move the pendulum to a higher energy level position, the expert said. (iStock)

On the other hand, if it’s late at night and a person needs to relax, they could do a calming exercise like meditation or listen to relaxing music as a way to swing the pendulum to a level more conducive to sleep, the expert advised. .

The pendulum lifestyle can also serve to improve mood, Kelp said. When someone is feeling depressed, watching a funny movie or practicing gratitude can help swing the pendulum.

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The approach could also help boost progress if someone feels “stuck” in life, the expert said.

“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to being at that place on the pendulum, but that you can step forward and be intentional, it’s very empowering,” she said.

The daily monitoring process could help people identify when they feel in their worst shape and find ways to steer themselves in a better direction, one expert said. (iStock)

Dr. Molly Sherb, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a licensed psychologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, commented on Karp’s concept of a pendulum lifestyle.

“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to being at that place on the pendulum, but that you can step forward and be intentional, it’s very empowering.”

He agreed that the daily check-in process could help people identify when they are feeling in their worst shape and find ways to move in a better direction.

“That could include getting better sleep or eating a healthier breakfast… to help you wake up with better bandwidth tomorrow,” Sherb said.

Progress, not perfection

Dr. Christopher Fisher, a psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital Northwell Health in Queens, New York, said the swing lifestyle could help those who feel pressured achieve a perfect work-life balance.

“The pendulum of life’s experiences, whether emotional, cognitive or physical, is one of the truest expressions of what it means to be human,” he told Fox News Digital.

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“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to navigate the ebb and flow of life,” he told Fox News Digital.

Sherb agreed that the essence of the pendulum lifestyle is that it is not always possible to achieve that egalitarian 50-50 balance.

Take a constructive point of view and ask yourself what positive changes or routines can help you reach a more optimal level on the pendulum’s path, one expert advised. (iStock)

“It’s about constantly tuning into yourself… and seeing what parts of your life might need you most at certain times,” he said.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a more personalized approach based on what you need and what the people in your life need from you.”

4 Steps to Implement the Pendulum Lifestyle

Karp shared some specific strategies for taking the pendulum approach.

1. Do a head-to-toe check every morning

Ask yourself how you feel emotionally, physically and mentally. What parts don’t feel 100%?

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2. Make necessary adjustments

Depending on your self-control, consider changing your routine to fit your energy level or taking simple steps to help swing the pendulum in a positive direction, Karp suggested.

3. Be compassionate and curious

If you feel out of balance, Karp said to recognize it as part of the natural swing of the pendulum and accept it with self-compassion instead of shame and criticism.

“It’s about constantly tuning into yourself… and seeing what parts of your life might need you most at certain times.”

Take a constructive point of view and ask yourself what positive changes or routines can help you reach a more optimal level on the pendulum’s path, he advised.

4. Understand pendulum swings

It may be helpful to ask yourself specific questions, such as the following.

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“What factors helped contribute to a state of equilibrium?”

“What factors contributed to feeling unbalanced?”

“What small changes can I make today to encourage a feeling of better balance?”

“How did I respond to the feeling of imbalance? Was it effective?”

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Above all, Karp said, it’s important to remember that finding balance is a “lifelong journey.”