Last Updated on June 3, 2023 by Ryan
What exactly is a work-life balance? A work-life balance is exactly like it sounds, it is when a person can equally prioritize both their career and personal life. Additionally, maintaining this balance is a significant factor in relationships, health, and overall happiness.
With technology making it easy to always be on the clock and an often under-pressure workplace environment, finding a work-life balance can sometimes seem out of reach. As we face these uncertain times during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stress of working from home makes it even harder to achieve a life that seems properly balanced. However, it’s important to remember that everyone’s work-life balance is individual and starts with cultivating a better mindset. Here’s how to develop your rhythm with these five different methods to improve your work-life balance.
Unplug
The term “unplug” means to disconnect from all technology and clear your mind. Technology is at the forefront of most of our work activities. Merely turning off your technology for a few hours and enjoying personal time will add peace back into your life.
When you are ready to unplug: make sure to turn off all phone email notifications, turn off text message alerts, and leave your devices in a separate room. Make sure you are reconnecting with yourself and unplugging from your work-related technology. Use this time for hobbies and quality time with the people around you. If unplugging seems like a frightening thing, start small. You can set goals for yourself and schedule when you want to turn your technology off. Follow these tips at your own pace, and you will be on your way to a healthy work-life balance.
Separate Your Spaces
In our current state of working from home, it is hard to obtain a separation between our work and living spaces. It is important to maintain a distinct separation with your spaces so you can truly relax in your home.
Some way that you can achieve a successful split in your spaces is by working in various rooms. Set up your workspace in a separate room so you can close the door when finishing work. If you are unable to work in different rooms, then make sure all of your work materials are put away and closed at the end of the day. If your workspace is open, you will be tempted to work after hours and neglect your time and relaxation. Establishing a proper separation in your spaces will lead to a proper balance between work and life.
Exercise and Meditate
Making time for exercise is not only important for your work-life balance but also crucial to your health. Exercise is easy to push off and forget when our lives get hectic and overwhelmed with work priorities. However, exercise is not only a stress reducer but also can also lift your mood and clear your mind.
The first step in adding exercise back onto your calendar is creating a proper schedule. Whether it’s before or after your work day, dedicate time each week. These exercises can be as simple as doing 15 minutes of stretching and meditation. As with everything else, you will work at your own pace when it comes to the type of exercise and level of difficulty. Even the smallest amount of exercise will yield major payoffs. The key to exercise is staying consistent. If you can achieve that, your body and mind will grow stronger. You can even roller skating as a workout that will turn out to be extremely fun
Self-Care
Self-care encompasses many different practices. It can include finding the time to rest your body, recharging, or just making sure you are eating properly. It can also include the time that you spend writing in a journal or walking outside.
Altogether, self-care is one of the easiest ways to start creating a better work-life balance. If you feel overwhelmed with the thought of taking time out of your work days, then starting small is for you. Work on changes in your life that can be easily attained. You can take a walk on your lunch break or read a book at the end of the day. You need to set boundaries for yourself and set aside time that is just for you.
Spend Time With Friends and Family
Spending time with friends and family is the perfect way to set aside your work priorities. Due to our current circumstances, it is often challenging to see the ones that we love in person. This issue can be a driving factor in working overtime as a distraction. However, taking the time to step away from your work demands will help you build strong relationships.
If you are unable to meet with friends and family in person, develop a schedule in which you create a Group FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Meets weekly. These meetings will help to restore your connections with those surrounding you. When meeting with your people, you can play games, watch movies, or just chat for a while. If you can meet with friends and family in person, just make sure you are continuing to follow the proper safety guidelines.
Final Words…
Creating a perfect work-life balance takes time, but it is not impossible. Use the tips we have provided, and over time you will achieve your perfect balance!
What is the work-life balance?
A popular definition of work-life balance is the ratio of time spent working to time spent with family, friends, or engaging in personal interests and hobbies [1]. You won’t have as much time or energy to devote to your other commitments or passions when work requires more of you.
How many hours is a good work-life balance?
In the end, scientists usually concur that 6 hours per day is the best amount of time to work, with morning hours being the most productive.
Why is a work-life balance important?
Employers stand to gain from a good work-life balance in a number of ways. With a greater dedication to and motivation for work, productivity increases, absenteeism declines, and physical and mental health improves. Achieving this balance can also be beneficial for personal relationships.
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Meet Kourtney, a fashion and beauty enthusiast who tells stories through style. To her, clothing is a language, and every accessory adds punctuation to her narrative. Kourtney explores vintage fashion markets on weekends, blending classic with contemporary to create a signature style that reflects her vibrant personality. Beyond aesthetics, she's a passionate advocate for body positivity and inclusivity in fashion, celebrating diversity to ensure everyone feels seen and embraced.
