Maintaining a positive work-life balance

In today’s world, work-life balance can almost seem impossible to achieve. Today’s technology also makes it extremely accessible to get a hold of workers after their designated hours, adding more stress to your home life. According to a Harvard Business School survey, 94% of working professionals reported working over 50 hours per week, half of this group saying they work more than 65 hours per week. Not focusing on a proper work-life balance can bring stress, damage mental health, and hurt significant relationships. Work-life balance varies for everyone, so here are some tips for maintaining a healthy one.

1. Disconnect yourself from technology
   There are many ways technology makes our lives easier. With that being said, it has created expectations of constant accessibility. This can make you feel like work never ends. Take some time to enjoy the moment – unplug or detach yourself from emails, text messages, phone calls, and even social media. Receiving notifications during your off time can inject an undercurrent of stress within you. Don’t text during that family event, and refrain from sending work emails with friends.
2. Work Out
   Making time for yourself is crucial. We do the normal, eat, drink, sleep, go to the bathroom – however, we tend to neglect exercising and keeping our bodies healthily active. Part of keeping a healthy work-life balance means being active – especially if you work in an office. Working out also tends to reduce stress. It adds feel-good endorphins to your body.
3. Treat yourself
   Another step in maintaining a positive work-life balance is to really take care of yourself. Treat yourself to that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing. You’ve worked hard for them! Another thing you can do is go for a massage, facial, pedicure, manicure, and everything in between! Making time for yourself is crucial when you work crazy hours a week.
4. Minimize Perfectionism
   Being an over-achiever comes easy as an adolescent, however, as we get older, ‘perfect’ can be more and more difficult to achieve; especially when additional responsibility becomes more frequent. In order to properly succeed in creating a good work-life balance, there needs to be a detachment from perfectionism. Let it go, and strive for excellence, rather than perfection!

Following these few steps will ensure you create a positive environment for yourself. As life goes on, stress adds up, so be sure to take steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance!