A little stress at work is normal, but if you’re experiencing constant stress at work without proper relaxation time, you can easily burnout. Burnouts happen when you’re completely overwhelmed by daily life, and the effects of burnouts go far beyond just a little stress. When you’re burnt out, your body cannot function optimally; your immune system suffers, your mood is more negative and your level of productivity decreases. Maintaining a good work-life balance means leaving the stresses of work at work, it means properly reenergizing your body and mind, and it means avoiding burnouts and maintaining physical and mental wellness. Here are 8 tips to help you develop a good work-life balance.
1. Re evaluate.
Take the time to sit down and make a list of the top 5 things you spend most of your time on (excluding work), then ask yourself which of those things give you energy and which of those things mentally exhaust you. Do your best to cut those unnecessary, energy-draining activities out of your life.
2. Communicate with others.
Don’t be afraid to sit down and have an open conversation with your supervisor or coworkers if your workload has gotten a little too heavy. Sometimes a little honesty can go a long way.
3. Stay organized.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with work when unexpected things keep popping up. Try to keep your work schedule as organized as possible by keeping calendars and to-do lists. This way you won’t forget items and have to end up doing them during your off hours.
4. Turn off email.
Set a time in your day everyday where you no longer check your email. People often check their work email out of habit and bring work home with them, even when they don’t have to.
5. Schedule downtime.
Block out a couple hours a week, and plan nothing. This should just be time for you to unwind in whatever way you do best; whether that’s reading a book, having a bath or spending some time at the gym.
6. Take holidays.
Making time and a half is great, and sometimes you just can’t afford to not work on holidays. But if you can, try to take holidays off of work. Use these times to get out with friends and family, recharge and remember what your life outside of work is all about.
7. Take up hobbies.
Find things you love to do and make time to do them regularly. Again, this will help you recharge, refocus, and not think about work.
8. Say no.
This is a tough one, but learn to say no to things you don’t want to do in order to make room for things you do want to do.
Don’t let work stress decrease your quality of life. Try some or all of these tips for a better work-life balance and a healthier you. Need someone to talk to about getting a better balance or work issues? Your Business Agent is always there for you. Contact Us.
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