Work/Life Balance Tips
In the busy world that we live in today, prioritising your work and your personal life can come as a challenge. However, numerous studies have shown that a poor work-life balance can result in detrimental health issues, depression and even diminished productivity at work, not to mention the effect it can have on your relationships with your friends, family and loved ones.
We know all too well, that time for yourself as well as quality time with your friends and family are as important as the time you spend at work, but finding that key harmonious balance can sometimes not be the easiest task. However, it also may not be as difficult as you think. Read on for some tips on how to improve your work/life balance:
1. Prioritise– make a ‘Today’ list. As simple as it sounds, to-do lists can make you feel invincible when you are able to cross things off. The trick is to keep the list short. Long to-do lists, will have you procrastinating in no time, as you will feel too overwhelmed. Have a work ‘Today’ list and a home ’Today’ list, and it will help you prioritise where and what is important to get done that day, at home and at work. Make it part of your morning routine every day to list 3-4 things that need to be completed that day and feel that sense of achievement when all your daily goals are complete.
2. Let go of technology– A lot of jobs today involve sitting in front of a computer screen (or three) and our brains get clogged up with way too much information. We then head home for the day, and play games on our smart phones, or trawl mindlessly through social media just adding more information to our already overworked brains. Why not try taking a day (or two) a week where as soon as the work day is over, turn off your phone/tablet/laptop and instead of updating your Facebook/Instagram/Twitter, go for a walk and appreciate your surroundings without having to catch the ‘moment’ on social media, or connect the old fashioned way and catch up with friends and family for a drink where no smart phones are allowed!
3. Exercise – Making the time to exercise is just as important as connecting with your friends and family, as important as eating your veggies and drinking water! When you are swamped at work, and your social life is packed full on the calendar, the first thing to go to the bottom of the list is exercise. However exercise is the most effective stress reducer and everyone feels good when they have those endorphins running through their body! It doesn’t have to be an hour and a half hardcore training session – a quick 20 minute walk around the block to get some fresh air, or even a quick lunch time gym session, or perhaps an early evening yoga practice will do the trick, a few times a week. Make the time for yourself and your body and watch your energy levels and general productivity go through the roof.
4. Leave work on time– OK, so this is easier said than done. We aren’t telling you to leave the office as soon as the clock hits 5pm, however once or twice a week, make a point of leaving as early to ‘home time’ as possible to enjoy down time with your loved ones. And most importantly – take breaks! Get up from your desk, and go for a quick walk round the office to stretch your legs and give your eyes a rest. Make a cup of tea and engage in a ten minute conversation with your colleagues about last night’s TV. Focus solely on your tasks for an hour or two, and then reward yourself with a brief but well-earned break and head back to your desk ready to go for the next couple of hours.
These are just a few suggestions to help you with your work/life balance, however for further reading and a more in-depth article, please follow the link below which helped inspire this blog entry.