Finding a work/ life balance in today’s hectic world isn’t easy. Increasingly men and women find themselves working longer and having less time for family and self-care. This non-stop way of life negatively affects both your mental and physical well-being and takes a heavy toll. There is a significant increase in adults suffering from mental health issues and marriages and families feeling the consequences of living an unbalanced lifestyle. If you’re tired of living your life feeling the stress and strain caused by focusing too much on work, follow these tips from men and women just like you, who learned how to create a work/ life balance that got them back on the right track.
Overlap Tasks
Multi-tasking is a must when you have a million things to do but no time to do them. However, it can cause added stress when you feel like you have to spread your attention in multiple ways at once. Instead of multi-tasking, try a variation and overlap your tasks. When you overlap your tasks, you can still focus your attention completely without feeling torn. For example, if you wish you had more time to enjoy your hobbies but you don’t want to give up quality time with your kids, you can overlap them by including your kids in your hobby. If you enjoy bird watching, take them with you and use the time to build memories. You aren’t tearing your attention away from either task; instead, you’re overlapping them to capitalize your time.
Dedicate Time To Priorities
Take a few minutes at the beginning of the week to sit down with your calendar and highlight your priorities, so you know what you have to do and what you can leave for another time. Make a list and label each item from the most important to the least, and don’t worry if you’re not able to get to everything. Knowing what you can say no to and what you must prioritize is a great way to help you free your schedule and feel less pressure to check off every task on your schedule.
Prioritize Free Time
Your free time is precious and prioritizing it is a form of self-care. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty for taking time for yourself; you work hard, and being able to unwind will ensure you’re at your best for everyone else. There are a few general rules to follow when prioritizing your free time:
- Keep it work free
- Quality over quantity– it doesn’t have to last a long time as long as you can relax
- Mix it up – try different things, so you don’t get bored
If you’re struggling to know what to do in your free time, that’s ok. Relaxing is hard if you’re not used to doing it. Think about activities you haven’t done for a while or new ones you would like to try. A few examples can be:
- Exercise class
- A walk in the park
- Soak in the bath
- Drinks with friends
Remember, there’s no wrong way to spend your free time; as long as you get to unwind, that’s all that matters.
Don’t Forget Your Social Life
Similar to prioritizing your free time is spending time with friends. When you’re busy, your friendships are often the first to suffer, affecting your mood and mental health. Getting together with your friends and taking time to laugh and catch up is vital for your work/ life balance and will make your week much more enjoyable. See a movie or go out to dinner. Staying connected to those you care about should always be a priority.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you still struggle to find a work/ life balance. It takes time to learn how to say no and put up the boundaries needed to leave work at the office. However, you can feel re-energized and new by following a few simple tips like overlapping tasks, dedicating time to your priorities, prioritizing your free time, and taking time for your social life. Every day gets a little easier to balance, and as long as you stick at it, you’ll find you can do all the things that matter to you without sacrificing your family, friends, or your sanity.
