A personal contribution about health & sustainability from Sigrid Koloo, Managing Director of Koloo Projects.
A year ago today, an accident changed my life. Physically and mentally, I was abruptly torn from my everyday life. The months that followed were characterized by intensive work on my health – a time of healing, but also of reflection. Now, a year later, I am proud to be fully operational again. But this process has shown me more than just the power of physical rehabilitation. It has made me think deeply about sustainability and the importance of balance in life.
What does this have to do with sustainability?
The term sustainability is often reduced to ecological aspects – the conscious use of resources, the protection of our planet. But sustainability also affects us: our energy, our mental and physical health, the way we work and the way we manage our time. In the hectic world of constant progress, we often overlook the fact that our most important asset is our own well-being. Just like the natural resources we protect, our personal health is limited and valuable.
Pause and reflect
After the accident, I was forced to pause. This pause was not voluntary, but in retrospect it was more necessary than I thought. The recovery time offered space for reflection: How do I deal with my strength? How do I balance work and recovery?
Sustainability is also often about rethinking processes and making more conscious decisions. We need to ask ourselves: what happens if we continue to go beyond our limits without taking care of ourselves or our environment? Whether in our personal lives or in a corporate context, it is crucial to regularly pause and review our priorities.
Health & sustainability: insights and what it takes
Balance is key: Just as a company needs to introduce sustainable processes in order to be successful in the long term, we humans also need a balanced approach to our energy. This means not working at “full speed” all the time, but planning conscious breaks and recovery phases.
Long-term thinking: sustainability requires foresight – both in our own health and in the way we use resources. My year of rehabilitation has shown me that quick wins are not always the best. Long-term recovery and sustainable lifestyles take time and patience.
Self-care is sustainability: just as in sustainable business, a culture of pausing and reflecting is needed in order to remain not only productive but also healthy.
Sustainability also means being mindful of yourself and recognizing in good time when you need to conserve resources – in this case your own.
Building resilience: Just as companies strengthen their resilience to crises through sustainable processes, we also need to build up our personal resilience. This accident was a wake-up call to re-evaluate our own “capacities” and consciously manage them.
Conclusion: Health & sustainability in life and work
Sustainability is not just a question of the environment, but affects us at all levels. The process of recovery and regaining my full capacity has shown me how important it is to think consciously and long-term. Living in harmony with ourselves and nature means taking responsibility for our health, our well-being and our future.
I take this experience with me as a reminder: Sustainability starts small – with ourselves. When we take care of our bodies and minds, we are also better able to work towards a more sustainable world.