4 Easy Ways to Create a Work-Life Balance
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The topic of work-life balance probably wasn't as prevalent 50 years ago, but let's face it, the world has become much more connected over the years. We can contact people from nearly any corner of the world and get an immediate response at a moment's notice. This has completely changed how we work, including whether we need to work in the office every day,
This increased connection can be incredible access opportunities that were once unimaginable. You may be able to work for your dream employer in a major city while living in a small town, or be able to work with the most amazing clients, despite being in a different time zone. But this isn't without its downside.
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Having constant access to work, whether it's through emails or flexible hours, can blur the lines between our personal and professional lives. This could look like responding to emails before bed, or catching up on a project while spending time with family. While I want to make it clear that hard work is a very important attribute of success, it needs to come with boundaries. Constantly accessing work at all hours of the day can become draining over time and lead to burnout. However, establishing healthy boundaries before we reach that point can create a sustainable schedule to help prevent us from feeling drained.
Let's talk about some easy ways to create a work-life balance.
4 Easy Ways to Create a Work-Life Balance
1. Set boundaries around checking your emails
How many times have you seen an email come in and immediately read it, regardless of the time of day? If this is something you've done, you may want to consider setting boundaries around your email. Depending on what your needs are, this could look like not checking them after a certain time, or removing your work email from your phone altogether and only using your computer to check them. Find a method that works for you, and remember you’re allowed to disconnect.
2. Create systems to let go of the day after work
Unwinding after a busy day can be difficult, and stressors can easily trickle down into our evening or weekend. My biggest tip is to find systems that can help you let go of your day when you finish. For me, this looks like having a warm bath, but for you, it may look like journaling, reading, or taking a walk.
3. Schedule work-free time
If you have a flexible work schedule where you don’t have set hours, allocate breaks for yourself where you don't touch your work. This could look like no work after 6 pm, no work on Sundays, or no work when you drink your coffee in the morning. Without firm breaks, it’s easy to fill all of our time with work.
4. Use your PTO
Simply put: use your PTO, it's there for you to use. Treat it as an opportunity to take a break and recharge your batteries so you can return feeling rejuvenated.