Hey everyone, it's Dora here. I just want to let you know that we've launched a brand new

call and advice podcast called Dear Headspace. Each week the headspace teachers along with

some amazing new friends are answering your questions about relationships, work, life,

mindfulness, and just about everything else. It's so different from anything we've ever

created and we're so excited for you to hear it. Dear Headspace comes out every Tuesday

on the Headspace app and anywhere you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

Headspace Studio.

Hi, it's Sam and welcome to Radio Headspace and to Monday morning. So lately I've been

reflecting on how grateful I am to have work-life balance right now. I was remembering how

it wasn't always like this. A few years ago I encountered a peak of stress that I hadn't

felt before. I was trying to finish two master's degrees, one of which required live meetings

in a time zone nine hours ahead while working full-time and dealing with a major loss.

It was a really tough time. Sometimes I told myself that I should be able to do all

of this. I'd say things to myself like, you've worked this hard before and in college you

were able to pull all nighters and finish papers the night before. But I had to accept that

my sleep needs had changed and that this way of doing things just didn't work for me anymore.

I remember many tearful nights and therapy sessions trying to figure out how to manage

all of the demands. I remember my therapist asking me, if your stress could speak, what

would it say? As I listened to this inner voice it asked me to please take something, anything

off my plate. It was a clear and desperate plea and I listened. I put one of my master's

degrees on hold and concentrated on my other work. I also gave myself permission to rest

and restore my energy in whatever way I was craving without judgment or pressure to

...