When you’re living with a chronic illness, work can easily become your whole world. It’s the thing that pays the bills, defines your routine, and, if we’re honest, can feel like the only “productive” use of your limited energy.

But here’s the truth: reconnecting with joy outside of work isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. Without it, your world becomes smaller, your energy drains faster, and your sense of self slowly fades behind a job title or a diagnosis.

In this blog, you’ll learn why prioritising joy is a vital step toward sustainable success, how it supports, not competes with, your productivity, and simple ways to bring non-work passions back into your life.

The hidden cost of neglecting reconnecting with joy outside of work

When you’re flat-out juggling work and health, joyful activities are often the first thing to go. You tell yourself it’s temporary. Just until you “catch up.” But the weeks turn into months.

While it’s easy to think of joy and well-being as “mental health” topics, there’s strong evidence that they also have a direct impact on physical health, especially for those living with long-term conditions.

For example, the NHS explains how stress can worsen chronic physical health problems, including fatigue, pain, and immune function (NHS Stress and Long-Term Conditions). Activities that reduce stress, spark joy, and promote emotional well-being can therefore support your physical health, not just your mood.

Without joy:

• Fatigue worsens because there’s no mental or emotional recharge.
• Your self-worth becomes tangled up in productivity.
• Work-life balance becomes non-existent.

So reconnecting with joy isn’t an indulgence, it’s a vital strategy to support both your mental and physical health.

Rest isn’t the opposite of productivity, it fuels it

Many of my clients used to think rest and joy were indulgences they couldn’t afford. I get it. I used to think the same. Until I burnt out so badly that I had no choice but to reassess.

Here’s a reframe that helped me (and now helps my clients):

Rest and joy are active ingredients in sustainable productivity.

When you intentionally make space for non-work joys, you’re:

• Giving your nervous system a break from constant output.
• Replenishing creative and emotional energy.
• Building resilience against future burnout.

This shift aligns perfectly with my free resource, 5 Powerful Strategies to Reduce Fatigue at Work, which offers practical tools to reclaim your energy without sacrificing success.

How to start reconnecting with joy outside of work, without adding more pressure

When work and illness take up all the oxygen, it’s easy to forget what used to bring you joy. Here’s a simple exercise to reconnect:

1. Think back to “pre-busy” you. What hobbies, activities, or moments made you lose track of time?
2. Notice small sparks. What feels nice now, even if only for a minute? A warm cup of tea? A walk in fresh air?
3. Start small, but consistently. You don’t need hours. Even 10 minutes of something joyful is a powerful reset.

The goal isn’t to add more “to-dos” to your day. It’s to gently widen your world beyond work and health demands.

Protecting your joy-time: Practical tips for sustainable success

To make joy a non-negotiable part of your week:

• Schedule it like a meeting. Block time for activities that light you up.
• Set boundaries around work hours. Hard stops help preserve energy for personal joys.
• Combine with rest. Some activities can be both joyful and restorative, like gentle crafting, mindful walking, or reading for pleasure.
• Ask for support. Let family or colleagues know you’re reclaiming time for yourself.

For more ways to create space in your workday, subscribe to The Sunday Power-Up—my weekly newsletter packed with energy-saving tips and strategies for professionals like you.

The emotional impact of reconnecting with joy outside of work

Reintroducing joy into your life isn’t just about feeling good in the moment. It’s about:

• Reaffirming your identity beyond “worker” or “patient.”
• Building emotional resilience.
• Strengthening your capacity for meaningful work and meaningful rest.

When you focus on reconnecting with joy outside of work, you’re not stepping away from success, you’re creating a foundation for it.

Ready to reclaim your energy for what matters most?

If this post resonated, and you’re ready to create a more balanced, fulfilling way of working that respects your health, my 1:1 coaching services are designed to help.

Together, we’ll explore practical strategies to manage your energy, align your work with your personal values, and bring joy back into your life beyond the confines of work and illness.

👉 Learn more about my coaching services here.

Disclaimer:

The content in this blog is based on my personal experience of living with chronic illness and is shared for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your GP or healthcare professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, work routine, or health management. The tips and strategies shared here can be used alongside medical advice to support your well-being.