‘Pendulum lifestyle’ could be key to juggling daily challenges

For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while struggling work-life balancesome experts recommend adopting a “pendulum lifestyle.”

It was designed by dr. Jeffrey Karp, a professor of biomedical engineering at Brigham & Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School in Boston, defined the pendulum lifestyle as “a concept that acknowledges the natural ebb and flow of life and allows you to thrive in the midst of the swing.”

“We are rarely in balance… it is simply unrealistic and no causing anxiety expectations,” said the doctor in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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Viewing the world as a pendulum encourages a more compassionate mindset and alleviates the pressure to be perfect, Karp said.

For those who feel “stuck” or overwhelmed while striving for 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 emotionally, mentally and physically “balanced” throughout the day, according to the expert.

It could also empower individuals who feel “stuck” when facing daily challenges, he said.

“Looking at nature, there are so many cycles, so many things that go back and forth, like night and day … the changing of the seasons, the waxing and waning of the moon,” Karp noted.

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The the pendulum lifestyle it includes daily “self-checks” where a person measures their physical, emotional and mental energy levels, Karp said. They can then take immediate steps to shift their levels in a positive direction towards ideal balance.

“If we can visualize everything on a pendulum, we can think, ‘What step could I take today to bring the pendulum a little 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 emotionally, mentally and physically “balanced” 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.

He would then do a “self-check” to determine where his energy level was on the pendulum and what small steps might move him closer to the ideal point of balance, Karp said.

“True well-being lies not in perfection or consistency, but in our ability to manage the ebbs and flows of life.”

This could mean taking a 10 minutes walkperforming a few jumps or a few stretches to move the pendulum to a higher energy position.

“This empowers the person and reminds them that they’re not stuck,” Karp said.

A 10-minute walk, jumping jack or doing a few stretches can shift the pendulum to a higher energy level, the expert said. (iStock)

On the other hand, if it’s late at night and a person needs to relax, they might indulge in a calming exercise like meditation or listening to relaxing music as a way to shift the pendulum to a more sleep-friendly level, advises the expert.

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

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The approach could also help kick-start momentum if someone feels “stuck” in life, the expert said.

“When you start to realize that you’re not just limited to that spot on the pendulum, but you can take a step forward and be intentional, it’s just empowering,” he said.

A daily check-in process could help individuals recognize when they’re not feeling in top shape and find ways to move in a better direction, one expert said. (iStock)

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

“When you start to realize that you’re not limited to that spot on the pendulum, but that you can take a step forward and be intentional, it’s just empowering.”

She agreed that a daily check-in process could help individuals recognize when they are not feeling at their best and find ways to move in a better direction.

“This may include sleeping better or eating better healthier breakfast … to help you wake up tomorrow with better throughput,” Sherb said.

Progress, not perfection

dr. Christopher Fisher, a psychologist at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Northwell Health Queens, New Yorksaid the pendulum lifestyle could help those who feel pressured to achieve the 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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“Real well-being it 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 a 50-50 balance.

Adopt a constructive attitude and ask yourself what positive changes or routines can help you reach a more optimal level on the pendulum path, advises one expert. (iStock)

“It’s about constantly getting in tune with yourself … and seeing what parts of your life might need you more at certain times,” she said.

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

4 steps to introducing the pendulum lifestyle

Karp shared some specific strategies for adopting the pendulum approach.

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

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

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2. Make all necessary adjustments

Based on your self-check, consider changing your routine to accommodate your energy level or take 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 embrace it with self-compassion, not shame and criticism.

“It’s about constantly getting in tune with yourself… and seeing which parts of your life might need you more at certain times.”

Adopt a constructive attitude 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 your pendulum swing

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

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“What factors contributed to the state of feeling balanced?”

“What factors contributed to the feeling of imbalance?”

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

“How did I respond to feeling unbalanced and was it effective?”

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Above all, Karp said, it’s important to remember that finding balance is the “trip of a lifetime”.