Did you know that chronic stress is one of the most common health issues in the workplace? Finding and maintaining a healthy work-life balance reduces stress and helps prevent burnout. Work-life balance looks different for everyone; however, we’ve compiled 5 general tips to help you find the best work-life balance for you.
1. Create a Daily Journal
Creating a daily activity journal or log will help you uncover how you use your time both at work and at home. If you find yourself spending too much time on unproductive tasks, such as minor issues or unproductive meetings, limit these activities and fill them with other tasks you find more productive. Do the same with your activities at home. Did you find you’re spending too much time scrolling on Facebook or TikTok? Limit your social media time and fill it with more rewarding activities like spending time with family and friends or focusing on your hobbies.
2. Utilize Your Calendar
Your calendar is a great tool to use when scheduling work activities and meetings. However, don’t be afraid to schedule personal activities on your calendar as well. If you have a hard time following through with personal activities, scheduling these activities on your calendar helps you to commit, which can help improve your work-life balance.
Also utilize your calendar to ensure you’re taking breaks. Schedule your lunch time and small 5–10-minute breaks on your calendar. During these breaks, don’t just sit at your desk and scroll on your phone – get up from your desk. Go outside, take a quick walk, grab a snack, or stretch.
3. Transition Your Mindset
Your commute home from work, whether it’s a long drive or a short drive, can be a great time to transition yourself out of work and into home life. Taking the time to get ready for a different set of interactions at home helps you avoid taking the stress of work home with you. Try listening to a podcast or your favorite playlist during your commute.
On the other side, your drive to work is a great time to prepare your mind for work. Start by creating a to-do list in your head of what you want to accomplish for the day, so you can go into work ready to be productive instead of dreaming about the weekend.
If you work from home, wake up in the morning with plenty of time before you clock in. Rolling out of bed and going straight to your home office doesn’t allow you to ease into your work day or set yourself up to be productive.
4. Set Boundaries
To help avoid burnout, set your work hours and stick to them best as possible.
Unless your job requires you to be on call or you are dealing with an urgent matter, disconnecting after work hours can help you be more present in your home and personal life. When you finish your workday, silence work email or message notifications until you are back in office to help separate your work from your personal time.
5. Be Realistic
Starting new habits can be challenging. When it comes to working towards a healthier work-life balance, be realistic and take it slow. Start by adding something new into your schedule gradually, once a week or even once a month. Trying to add something new to your schedule every day is unrealistic and will not last.
Work-life balance can be achieved in many ways. Discover what works best for you to achieve that balance that is also realistic enough to maintain. It’s a process, so give yourself grace as you work towards a healthier balance between work and personal life. You’ve got this!
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