Whether it’s the societal pressure to ‘succeed’, extreme ambition regarding work, or the desperate need for perfection, there are many factors that can lead to imbalance between private life and work life. In the competitive world of today, seeking more, even if it means sacrificing our own physical and mental health, is seen as being ambitious, but in the end, it’s our well-being that pays the ultimate price.
The question is: Is there a way to create some sort of a work-life balance that will allow you to lead a happy and productive life and achieve your professional goals without dealing with poor health, stress, and burnout? In short, yes, and it all starts with planning your lifestyle so that all your needs are satisfied sequentially.
Track how you spend your workday
Just like money, time can easily be wasted on unimportant things without us even realizing, which is why it’s important for us to track it and eliminate any wasteful along the way. Getting an accurate picture of where your time is going starts with tracking how you usually spend your workday.
Start by drawing two clocks – one clock will show how you currently spend your day while the other will reflect your ideal workday. Then, see which changes (e.g. eliminating unimportant tasks) you can make to improve your time utilization. Finally, focus on what truly matters to you, and don’t shy away from saying ‘no’ to activities, events, and people that are distracting you from your goals.
Avoid multitasking
This may be tempting, but more often than not, multitasking will do more harm than good, resulting in unnecessary stress. It feels as if your mind is being scattered all over the place yet nowhere at the same time. Instead of trying to divide your attention between several things at once, try to focus on doing one particular activity at a time.
For instance, if you’re on a date or spending time with your family and friends, don’t look at your phone or answer emails. Similarly, when you’re at work, switch off all distractions and be present. This will help you get things done more quickly and efficiently and make your days far more enjoyable.
Dedicate one hour every day to yourself
Keeping work separate from your private life also means finding time for yourself and doing things you enjoy. Make it a habit to spend at least one hour every day dedicating your time, energy, and effort, to activities that make you feel great about yourself.
Whether it means building a valuable skill, taking up that new hobby, or simply relaxing and unwinding, scheduling downtime is essential for maintaining your well-being, allowing you to destress, re-energize your body and mind and restore balance.
Focus on mind and body
Constant stress and exhausting deadlines can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Not only does stress inhibit your ability to perform your best at work, but it also reduces your body’s ability to fight off antigens, making you more susceptible to infections.
Ensuring your body gets enough essential nutrients through diet is imperative for keeping your body functioning properly, while relying on nutritional supplements such as Purevida can be a great way to support your immune system health and help it run smoothly. Engaging in relaxing activities such as meditation or yoga can also be very effective in warding off work-related stress, which can help you perform better and enable you to give 100% of your energy when at work.
Connect with nature
In a time when we’re more connected than ever before, it can be easy to spend the majority of your time on your phone or laptop, either working or doing useless activities that don’t really bring any value to your life.
Make it a habit to unplug every now and then, and just go out in nature. A change of scenery is sometimes all you need to feel more alive and re-energize your body. Therefore, take a break from time to time and swap your office chair and fluorescent light for vegetation-rich nature and soothing, calming sun rays. By connecting with Mother Nature, you’ll be doing both your mind and body a big favor.
Wrapping up
There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious and wanting a better life for yourself. The problem arises when the line between your professional and private life gets blurred and you start putting your well-being on the back burner in order to succeed in the workplace.
Having some ‘me’ time is essential for preserving physical and mental health. It can also make you a much more productive and efficient employee, so it’s a win-win situation all around. It all starts with taking a step back, examining your habits, needs, and priorities, and fixing what needs to be fixed in order to achieve a healthier work-life balance, thus ensuring a lifestyle that’s both happy and productive.
About The Author
Taylor Parker is an American based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches.
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