A 48-year-old businesswoman, climbing the pinnacle of her career, suddenly faced a life-threatening health crisis. Known for pursuing high goals in her career, characterized by a strict work discipline and successful business achievements, the stroke she experienced made her realize the need to establish a balance between work and personal life. Initially, she thought her symptoms were due to caffeine and long working hours. However, the deadly warnings from the doctor revealed that the reality was much different. A computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a major bleeding in her brain. Doctors informed her that she had a stroke and that if she did not take her condition seriously, she could face more significant health problems.

Her career had always been her top priority. While working in a successful crisis communication and public relations firm, she became a vice president of a company and focused on her job around the clock. When she started working remotely during the pandemic, she could not slow down the pace, but instead, it accelerated. She began her day with coffee, working until late hours at night to gain energy. However, this pace resulted in a life-threatening stroke.

Her commitment to work turned into exhaustion over time. Like many women, she ignored the warnings her body gave her. Increased anxiety, constant feeling of illness, and headaches were the first signs. Eventually, she started experiencing headaches and vision problems when waking up in the morning. She ignored this situation for a few days, but eventually had to go to the emergency room. Her blood pressure had reached a dangerous level of 175/90.

The eye doctor, after seeing the effects of the stroke during a detailed examination, advised her to quickly go to the emergency room. After several tests, a brain hemorrhage and hypertensive crisis risk were identified. A week spent in the intensive care unit reminded her of the value of life. This experience was an awakening, but despite the warnings from the doctors, she struggled to change her habits.

After her time in the hospital, she decided to change her lifestyle. Now, she only drinks one coffee per day, practices yoga, and goes for a three-mile walk every afternoon to maintain her health. Instead of focusing on her job, she delegates more tasks and limits her working hours. Her blood pressure returned to normal levels and aside from wearing glasses, there were no permanent effects of the stroke.

This experience was a turning point in her life. She realized that there was more to life in the business world and learned that work was not everything. Recently, when she received an email, she chose not to respond for a while, prioritizing her health and life over work pressure.

In conclusion, she accepted that health, family, and personal life should come before work. This gave her the opportunity to reshape her life and taught her that achieving success did not always mean sacrificing more.