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Work frequently hijacks all aspects of our life. Our desire to succeed in the professional space often leads us to neglect our personal well-being. This is why achieving a work-life balance is critical not only for our physical and emotional well-being, but also for our careers. It’s high time that we establish equilibrium between work and family—this means being committed and efficient at work, while allotting quality time to family and yourself.
We often blame our smartphones and other devices for keeping us occupied, but these technologies can be saviours if we manage distractions well. Truth be told, the real reason why many of us don’t have a healthy work-life balance is because of increased pressure either at home or work. Some of common reasons include:
- Longer working hours due to increased work responsibilities
- Fluctuating salaries in an economic recession
- High need in the family due to increased family responsibilities
- Chronic illness in the family
A poor work-life balance can lead to serious health issues like hypertension, impaired memory, diminished immunity, frequent illnesses, migraine, depression, and gut disorders amongst many others. Apart from these, poor interpersonal relationships, marital tensions, social anxiety, and compromised family functioning are also some other byproducts of this imbalance.
Establishing a work-life balance is a big challenge in today’s fast-paced world. That’s why we are here to help you out. Here are a few efficient tips that can help you create that much-needed equilibrium:
1. Stop chasing perfection
It is not always necessary to score 100 per cent in all tasks. Don’t be an overachiever—your efforts can backfire, especially in scenarios where perfection is out of reach. Just give your best and rest! You cannot even thrive to achieve a perfect work-life balance. It is important that you set achievable goals. A work-life balance doesn’t always mean having a productive day at work, winding up on time, and chilling with your family and friends for the rest of the day. Some days your work will need you more, other days your family and hobbies will demand more out of you. A work-life balance is a long-term approach, not a short-term attitude.
2. Pursue passion in your profession
If you don’t love your work, you will be stressed and demotivated. Find inspiration in the work that you do—something motivating enough to drive you out of bed and get to work. This way you will be more positive about your professional life. And a happy work environment means a better mood and more energy.
3. Don’t be afraid to say no
Say NO when you cannot perform a particular task. It is not mandatory for you to say yes all the time. Don’t try to make everyone happy; rather, make yourself content first, instead of always being exhausted. It’s better to reject certain tasks that you don’t have the bandwidth to take on than be over-stressed.
4. Pause, relax, and unplug
We understand that work can be never-ending—but it’s ok to keep your phone aside for a day. Take a break, pause, and introspect. What are your priorities, goals, and responsibilities? More importantly, what makes you happy? Pay attention to your emotions. If your temperament is overpowering you, find out why? Seek solutions and de-clutter your mind.
It’s important to be resilient to achieve greater self-control—this will also help be less stressed. You can also plan a holiday and take leave from work for a few days. Rejuvenate and come back stronger.
5. Prioritise your health
Health is wealth! Eat properly, exercise regularly, and meditate. When you’re healthy, you’ll always be more productive at the office and home. Do not compromise on your sleep. If you couldn’t get a good night's sleep on a particular day, balance it out the next day by winding up your day early. If you are suffering from any ailment, pay attention to preventive and curative measures before it snowballs into something bigger.
6. Put an end to procrastination
Over piling of work because of procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress and disturbed life. Plan, prioritize and divide your work into smaller chunks. Give yourself a deadline and do not get distracted. Tackle your fear and phobias of rejection so that you can concentrate more on work. Finishing your work on time will allow you to spend more time with yourself and your family.
7. Have regular interactions with your loved ones
A conversation with your loved ones is always stimulating. Wine and dine together to boost up those serotonin levels. A happy mind is always more productive. You can also foster a pet—they are one of the biggest stress busters. Play with them, cuddle them, go for a walk, and you are all set for the next day.
Work-life balance is important—a must-have for everyone! A healthy work-life balance helps in developing: better focus at work, healthy professional relationships, stronger family bonds, cheerful mood, broader perspectives, and better health and fitness.
Learn to prioritise, balance, and keep going! Work-life balance is a journey, not a destination.
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