Balancing Adulthood
When you're dealing with deadlines, meetings, and personal plans, trying to figure out work-life balance can feel impossible! With everything competing for attention, it just puts your head in a spin. But the good news is, there are tips and habits to adopt that can help make your busy days feel calmer and easier to manage. Here are just five practical tips to help you enjoy the best of both worlds.
1) Define Clear Work Hours
You never want your work life to bleed into your personal life, so keep close attention to your start and end times, and learn to shift your attention when time's up. The moment that clock hits five o'clock, close your work apps and sign out! The unhealthy habit of thinking, "I'll just stay an extra few minutes," quickly becomes hours, and leads to your imbalance.
2) Plan Tomorrow Before You Log Off
Try using the last few minutes of your day to prepare yourself for tomorrow. List your top three tasks so you know exactly what you need to do when you come in. This helps your brain to stay focused and feel less scrambled when mornings are already rough.
3) Use Boundaries for Messages and Meetings
Even though you're an employee, it doesn't mean you can't set boundaries. If you're on lunch, enjoy your break and free time! It's important you learn not to feel anxious in responding right away as soon as someone messages you, as all that does is build an unhealthy habit at work.
4) Take Breaks You Actually Notice
You'll work much faster and more efficiently when you actually take breaks! Stepping away from your screen for even a short while will help you feel refreshed and ready to get back into action. It'll also help you avoid feeling that end-of-day fatigue that spoils your personal time.
5) Protect Personal Time Like an Appointment
When you're off, you're off! Protect your personal activities and dates, whether it's exercise, family time, or me-time, as if they're work assignments. Treating them like important commitments makes you value them more, and forces you to put yourself first when you already should be.
