5 Ways To Create A Work-Life Balance
The work-life balance is something we will all have heard of, but not something that we all necessarily can achieve. However, it is what helps to create the happiest of lives, and what keeps us healthy too, in both physical and mental ways. Therefore, even though it might seem like something that is impossible to grasp hold of, it is vital that you try to achieve a good work-life balance as much of the time as possible.
No matter what career you might have, what you do in your free time, or what friends and family commitments might be in your life, having the right balance is what will help you in the long term. Here are some ways it can be done.
There Are Only 24 Hours In The Day
Twenty-four hours is all you have each day, and everything that needs to be done has to be fit into those hours. That includes sleeping (which should take around eight hours), eating, work, and leisure activities.
Trying to fit too much into the hours that you have each day is what will cause you stress and anxiety, and even make you physically unwell. It will leave you exhausted at the very least. Not only that, but anything you do will be rushed and won’t be as good as it could be.
It’s far better to split each day into sections and do what you can in your work section, your home section, your ‘me time’ section, and so on. If that means that some jobs will go unfinished, so be it. You’ll need to prioritize, but it will be worth it.
Reduce Stress
Stress can cause us to do things that we wouldn’t normally do. If we’re stressed about money, for example, we might take on more work that we really should, leaving us with little time for anything else. If we’re stressed about our health, we can try to ignore any issues that we are presented with, thus making the situation worse.
The best option for a good work-life balance is to confront your stressors head on and make a plan to deal with them. You can consolidate your debts and therefore have less to pay on a monthly basis, meaning you can spend more time with your family rather than being at work, for example. Or you can make an appointment with the doctor to talk about your symptoms and get a diagnosis. If you need to replace electronics, there are a credit check free loans that can help you, and you can read this for more information. There will always be an answer to your problem, meaning you can have a much better work-life balance.
Learn To Say No
If you are being pulled in all directions, you will find that it all becomes too much. Work is important, but so is family time, and if you are being asked to do a lot of both, it can feel overwhelming, causing you to do nothing at all, or to do everything but without really enjoying it, or doing a good job.
It is crucial that you learn to say no. If you are already busy and really have no time to add anything else to your schedule, say so. It is far better, to be honest, and if you don’t have the time, the knowledge, the skills, or even if you simply don’t want to because you don’t like what is being asked of you or you’ve already committed to something else and can’t change it (or would prefer not to change it), then saying no is actually better for everyone.
Saying no is often tricky, however. We don’t like to let people down, and the idea of being able to make more money or, conversely, spend more time with your family if it is the other way around, will always be appealing. However, it is vital that you remember the balance you are trying to achieve and say no when you need to.
Take Breaks
Skipping breaks at work to get more done may seem like a good idea, but it can backfire and become a big problem. Without breaks, you will be much less productive than you would be if you just stepped away from your tasks for a few minutes at a time. Plus, sitting in one place all day is bad for you. You won’t be getting enough exercise, and you could develop blood clots.
Taking breaks will, as strange as it may seem, help you to get your work done faster. Regular breaks will allow your mind to rest and reset so that when you go back to your work, you are fresh and will be more able to come up with ideas. If you can get your work done more quickly, you will have more time to spend with your family, friends, or doing a hobby that you love.
If you feel you need a more extended break to recharge, don’t be afraid to book some vacation time. You can go abroad and explore a new country, head to the beach and completely relax, or even stay at home and take a better look around the place in which you live. This break from work can be exactly what is needed to re-assess your situation and make the right changes for you.
Change Jobs
We know it’s not always as easy as just quitting one job and walking into another; times have changed and it can take a long time to find another job that you enjoy and that pays enough. However, that shouldn’t stop you from looking. If it is your job that is preventing you from having the work-life balance that you know you should have, then it is the job that must be changed.
The key is not to quit your current job until you have found another one. Plus, you should do as much research as possible, including talking to people who already work at the place you are considering joining. You need to know that you are making a positive change.