Chapter 15 : 8-8-8
Ideal life hack for longevity!
The happiness index, also known as the World Happiness Report, is a survey of the state of global happiness that ranks countries based on various factors such as GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network produces the report, which is released annually.
The report aims to provide insight into the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being around the world and to promote policy changes that can improve the well-being of individuals and communities. The 2021 World Happiness Report ranked Finland the happiest country in the world, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and the Netherlands.
We are in this fast-paced, unending world where 24 hours is insufficient to meet the demands from the nonstop TV shows to the stress eating to the sleepless nights and demands of doing more and increasing financial thirst. The current trend of nonstop 24-hour news is an indication there is life on the fast lane. Travel agents are in high demand for the CEOs and CFOs to travel to places on remote islands without wifi. The highly connected global network now wants to go back to its roots. Now, with the Chat GPT and AI, the Speed will be exponential. All the evolution and human change in the last few millennia will happen in the next few years. Here is the dichotomy.
"We have the maximum information but minimum time."
I come to the terms as hard reality after my health has taken a turn to the worst. I would have never imagined myself going to the medical offices like a chronic patient with multiple comorbidities. I have become that patient who is mentally compliant with the medications but sometimes voluntarily non-compliant. I have had a different take on life since it happened. My work-life balance has shifted focus to accommodate my lifestyle rather than lifestyle into work.
I devised the term 8-8-8, a perfect, harmonious way of living one's life. As discussed in our fast-paced lives, we must look into ourselves, our stage, and how we manage time. As I said earlier, we have maximum information but minimum time. There are only 24 hours on the clock. Hence, for sanity and the brain to work at their capacity, one needs to look into how to care for the day-to-day. The 24-hour times need to have the breakdown to 8-8-8 hrs. By that, I mean 8 hours of sleep. 8 hours of personal time(me time), and 8 hours of work.
8 hr Sleep: as many people know, sleeping is essential for longevity; people with disturbed sleep have not had long lives. Longevity is directly proportional to sleep. Also, sleep causes repair and restores function. Imagine you are a washing machine, and every night, you are inside the washing machine and getting cleaned for the next day. During this time, the memories are stored, and organ repair occurs, causing minimal damage to the brain and other organs. Also, our hearts need rest and a good rest to withstand daytime stress and anxieties.
8-hour work: Scientifically, our brain performance peaks at 7-11 am; most work is on autopilot once lunch hits. That means the brain can do the work, but the intensity is not there, and the focus is not there. The brain can focus mainly on 6-7 hours of stretch, and the performance decreases afterward. The performance improves when there are fewer hours. Most of us work desk jobs, 8-5, and weekends off.
Everyone's job is different, and everyone's routine is different. I believe in focusing, keeping energies at work, and finishing work before leaving. Due to the recent pandemic, most jobs are around computers, working from home. This has caused 2 huge problems: no break from work and personal time as it gets muddled. And the other main issue is the social interaction. These 2 problems have been challenging for most people at work from home; this can give rise to undue stress and anxiety, and in the long term, their health can suffer. Dedicating 8 hours to work and shutting off work before entering the home environment are the keys to healthy longevity. Sitting indoors and in front of the screens has made us chained to the TV or computer screens at work. A few decades ago, everything was outdoors, either shopping or recreation. Unfortunately, that has become less and less and caused less Vitamin D and a decrease in serotonin, the happiness hormone, during this time.
The third and most essential 8 hours is the personal time. The individual time does have to balance the other 2 eights; during this time, one has to design how the hours are spent. Spend quality time with family and friends, social interactions, going to the gym, exercising, or taking an evening stroll talking with friends. Have a cup of coffee and read that favorite book. Using the me time to create something. It is too good to be true. However, remember happiness comes from within; no amount of materialistic things can get you that. Also, the thing about life is to live to the fullest.
8-8-8 is the way to live to the fullest and be happy. As Mahatma Gandhi said, live like you were to die tomorrow. Happy people have certain qualities of gratitude, staying inspired and having fun, staying present, coping with healthy strategies, focusing on health, giving, and putting themselves first. As in ancient texts, three things to focus on in our goals or actions are not thinking about the past, not having too much anxiety about the future, living essentially in the present, and being inspired and inspiring everyone around you. So find your passion, live your life to the fullest, and design your life around this mantra. Work your way through making memories, as they are the true treasures of life.
Suman Manchireddy MD FACP FHM, Internal Medicine, Leesburg, VA.
Email : Care@ReliantMD.com
Disclaimer: This is purely informational and educational purposes only, seek medical advise prior to starting any testing or treatment regimen. The data presented here is researched extensively and has been condensed for a broader audience.