We all want it, but it’s not always easy to find it AND keep it! Work-life balance involves finding and maintaining the proper prioritization between “work” (career and ambition) and “lifestyle” (health, pleasure, leisure, family, and spiritual development).
Check out these tips for adding a little more balance to your life:
Schedule downtime.
I know this sounds extremely counterintuitive, but scheduling downtime in your day or week may be just the mental trick you need to fit it in and to take away the guilt. And, if you’re like me, you will get the added satisfaction of checking it off your list when you’re done!
Cut the (activity) fat.
Stop wasting your valuable time on those life-sucking activities. It’s okay to say no! For instance, imagine the amount of extra time you’d have in the day if you limit the amount of office gossip you partake in or the time you spend checking social media. Try it for a day – put your phone out of reach and don’t check it until lunch and then again when you get home. You’ll be amazed at how much more productive you can be!
Exercise!
This may be the last thing you want to do (and the first thing you put off) when you are feeling the pressure of deadlines. However, it may be just the thing you need to get you through it. Research has consistently shown the benefits of exercise to include increased energy, concentration, and alertness. Couldn’t we all use some more of that?
Relax.
Even if you have to schedule it! Pick one night a week you leave the office early. Plan a movie night at home. It doesn’t matter what it is, just find an activity that is relaxing and stress-free to you and do it. Make it a priority and don’t bring your mental list of things to do with you – sometimes all you need is just 10-15 minutes.
You can do it! 🙂