As we navigate the realities of heavy workloads, maintaining personal and professional relationships, and squeezing in time for hobbies and personal interests, it's no wonder 1-in-4 Americans consider themselves "super stressed" and feel bogged down by their day-to-day.
As stress levels rise, productivity decreases, creating a cycle of feeling overwhelmed. On the health side, increased stress impacts our immune systems, making us more susceptible to other health concerns.
In today's new landscape of working from home, personal time and space can become blurred, and a greater need to implement boundaries emerges. A healthy work-life balance is possible, and below are some practical ways to achieve this goal.
All Aspects of Health Is Top Priority
The first step toward improved balance is prioritizing your health. Most people will want to strike a balance when they look for ways to manage stress levels, as employees' physical, emotional, and mental health are the main concerns.
If therapy would be a helpful option for managing challenges associated with anxiety or depression, consider contacting the Integrity HR Management benefits department to assess your options.
Engaging in an open and transparent dialogue with your supervisor helps establish boundaries and signals a helpful way to manage workload and meet expectations.
Asking for help is not a weakness. Rather, it demonstrates an individual's commitment to improvement to work as efficiently as possible.
Set Daily Goals
Setting and meeting priorities allow you to create a sense of achievement and control. Researchers suggest that the more control people have over their work, the less they are inclined to feel stressed.
Create realistic deadlines and manageable workloads for yourself. Daily to-do lists are a great way to stay organized and keep on task. If a project or task becomes overwhelming, consult your manager and discuss with team members to identify a solution. Staying ahead of anxiety triggers is an efficient way to manage stress and fulfill job expectations.
Disconnect to De-stress
Taking a break to unplug gives you time to unwind and process the day or put it behind altogether. Giving yourself the time and space for creativity and ideas outside of your routine paves the way to take up other interests and hobbies (i.e., reading, painting, exercising, etc.).
Finding moments throughout the day to meditate lets you take mini-breaks to avoid burnout. That time used to unwind sets you up for success and be more productive and energized in your day.
Consistently working outside regular hours can lead to a trap of constantly wanting to work more to get ahead. The reality is that implementing a consistent routine at work that incorporates breaks throughout the day will improve productivity and may keep you from getting behind on projects and tasks.
Exercise Self-Care and Take That Vacation
Develop a daily self-care routine and work to keep it as consistent as your workload. A healthy lifestyle is the cornerstone of stress management, and studies show it is a principal way to achieve the mythical work-life balance. Eating well, proper sleep, hygiene, and physical activity are all key to helping you feel fresh and perform at a high level.
If your company's benefits offer their employees time off, consider booking a vacation when needed. Exploring new and exciting outlooks recharges you and often helps identify the areas for growth when going back to a normal routine.
Takeaway
There's no direct path toward achieving a work-life balance. It's a continuous re-evaluation and improvement amid dynamic circumstances. For meaningful change to occur, an individual must remember to pause and evaluate their priorities to make the necessary changes when the time calls and ultimately be the ones to take the first step toward achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Comments