Struggling to juggle work, sleep, fitness, and kids? CMC Vellore doctor turns work-life-balance into a medical prescription

If you've ever found yourself drowning in meetings, chores, and parenting duties—all while wondering when you last slept well—you're not alone. A young professional posed a relatable question to Dr. Sudhir Kumar of CMC Vellore. Sharing it on X, the doctor wrote that the young professional admitted to working 10 hours a day, spending an hour on commute, and has a 5-year-old at home and needed help with balancing work, family, sleep and fitness. The doctor gave practical and no-nonsense advice, delivered like a medical prescription.

1. Sleep
Dr. Kumar began with what he considers non-negotiable: sleep. Prioritising 7–8 hours of rest every night, he said, boosts mood, immunity, and energy levels. He even advised turning off screens 30 minutes before bed for better sleep hygiene.
2. Exercise
Next up was exercise. No time to hit the gym? That’s okay. Dr. Kumar recommended 20 minutes of early morning home workouts, a 10-minute walk post-lunch, and weekend park time with your child. His approach focused on weaving fitness into existing routines rather than carving out large chunks of time.

3. Family time
When it came to family, the advice was simple but powerful—make dinner time sacred. Talk, laugh, avoid screens, and take a short post-meal walk with your spouse. These small rituals, Dr. Kumar said, can go a long way in keeping connections strong.

Struggling with Work-Life Balance at 35? Then, this post can help you:

A young professional asked:
"I work 10 hours/day, spend 1 hour commuting, have a 5-yr-old at home. How do I balance work, family, sleep & fitness?"
Here's my prescription as a doctor:
✅ Prioritize Sleep…

— Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) July 17, 2025

What to avoid?
An overlooked time-sink he called out was passive scrolling. Tracking where your time goes and cutting down on mindless screen time, he noted, can win you back 1–2 hours a day—enough to make space for the things that truly matter.

Finally, Dr. Kumar encouraged practicing mindfulness for just five minutes a day. According to him, that short burst of clarity can do more good than nearly an hour of stress. His closing line summed it all up with clarity: “Your body, brain, and family will thank you. Start with ONE change today.”