Do you have time to do all the things you enjoy or is most of your time spent at work? Would you say that your life is well balanced? Most of us are guilty of spending our time on work rather than on doing things we enjoy. Work can sometimes take over and we can end up not prioritizing the things that are actually important in life like family, friends and the most significant, our health. Without our health we can’t live life the way we want to, so it needs to be priority number one in daily life. If this is sounding all too familiar and you think that work is getting the better of you then this article is going to give you some suggestions on how to create a happy and healthy work/life balance.
The first step to a happier work/life balance is admitting that your life circles around your work. Stress is the key sign of the fact that you are married to your job. Stress means that you take your work seriously, you take your work home with you and that you are not comfortable at work. Stress affects one’s health through the mind, body and soul. Stress is totally overwhelming; it affects daily life, affecting your home-life and reduces your quality of life. As well as all this, stress is directly linked to many illness like heart problems, high blood pressure and weight gain. Stress is also linked to depression and anxiety. It is not something to take lightly, it is a serious emotion that can get the better of you. If this sounds like you, then you need to take action now and form a stress management plan or decide to see someone that can help you.
Key Steps to Life Management
While you are working, your personal life and career will always be battling, so incorporate some of these ideas to help balance out your life.
Step 1: Prepare Your Work Lunch Box
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail! Always be prepared for the workweek ahead. Spend Sunday night organising your week so that you know exactly what you will be eating throughout your work days. This will ensure you are always eating healthy and have extra time during your lunch break to go for a walk or simply spend time outdoors. This way you also won’t spend every single night preparing for the following day. You will have your nights free so you can enjoy other things like reading, exercising or socializing.
Step 2: Time Management
Get organized by keeping a diary, having a calendar, setting reminders and setting memos. Set a schedule for socializing, personal interests, exercise and work. The key to staying organized is to stick to your schedule. This is the best way to fit everything that you want to do into your week. There are heaps of apps that you can download that can be very useful as an organization tool. Or go old school and go buy yourself a paperback diary.
Step 3: Schedule Your Exercise
In your e-diary or paperback diary schedule a time to exercise that is the same everyday. When you exercise at the same time everyday it becomes a part of you and you feel guilty if you don’t exercise. Also, because it is a set time that you arranged you will always have time to do it. The only thing that will stand in the way of you exercising is yourself. The best time to exercise is before work because it allows you to begin your day with an energetic workout that will have you feeling awake and ready to tackle the day.
Step 4: Speak Up in the Office
Don’t be nervous to ask for help. If you are feeling stressed because you have too much work to do, then just ask for help. Your boss isn’t a robot, s/he is a person with feelings as well so s/he most likely can relate to you and will therefore understand what you are struggling with. Be honest about your problems and together with your boss create a strategy plan to help you deal with your work.
At the same time if your boss is giving you more work than you can handle, just say no. Once you have stopped saying yes to all that additional work you will have time to finish current work.
Step 5: Work Stays at Work
Never take work home with you. Office life and work stays at the office. When you start mixing work and home life complications begin to arise. You might find that you never have time for your family, friends or even yourself. If there is a work emergency do it during your lunch break or stay back, but never take it home with you.
By simply adding these 5 steps into your daily life you will instantly find you have more time to do the things you love. Whether that is spend time with family, with friends or taking part in your favorite hobby, you will no doubt feel more fulfilled in life.
Claire Trojkovic is a health and fitness expert from Australia. She is also an international fitness model competitor who has won many champisonships in Australia as well as overseas. The most prestigous being the INBA World Championships in 2013 which was held in Greece.
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